A few days ago, I blogged about the newly discovered bright supernova in the Leo galaxy M95. This morning, Ohio astroimager John Chumack sent these great images of the galaxy and supernova (designated 2012aw), and they’ll show you exactly where to look if you’d like to go out and observe this exploding star. John’s low-resolution versions include tic marks showing the supernova’s position. Higher-resolution versions are left clean, and there are black and white and negative images to help show maximum detail in the galaxy. John used a 16-inch reflector and a QUY8 CCD camera for the exposures. This type Ia supernova exploded in the galaxy some 40 million years ago, and we are just now seeing its light. Another bright supernova (2012au) is currently shining in the galaxy NGC 4790 in Virgo. This object glows at about magnitude 12.5, even brighter than the 13th magnitude of the M95 supernova.
Mr. Chumack's images do an excellent job of capturing M95's faint outer arms. I observed SN 2012aw on Thursday night through a 17" f/15 classical Cassegrain at 162, 216, and 259x. The supernova was seemingly so far from the part of M95 that was visible that it would have appeared to be merely a field star without the benefit of a finder chart.
Dave,
SN2012aw is a confirmed Type IIP Supernova. The one in Virgo is a Type I. FYI.
Greetings,
Someone pointed out to me that SN 2012aw is listed as a Type IIP supernova at www.astronomerstelegram.org
I checked the Bright Supernova site where it also designated as a Type IIP.
www.rochesterastronomy.org/snimages
Dave Mitsky