Super Nova in M100
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Lydia
Site Admin
Posted:
Sat Feb 18, 2006 2:54 pm
Joined: 03 Feb 2004
Posts: 601
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This information was sent over on the J.S.C.A.S. listserver last week.
Sorry I am late in loading it.
Wishing you Happy Super Nova Hunting !
LL
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The supernova, named 2006X, is seen in the main spiral arm of M100
(aka NGC 4321). Some details:
M100 Coordinates: 12h22m55s +15d49'20'' (2000.0)
Supernova Coordinates: 12h22m54s +15d48'33'' (2000.0)
So, it is about 12 acrseconds West and 48 arcsecond South from the
nucleus of the galaxy, which will be the most obvious feature seen
with telescopes. For some pictures, you can look here:
http://www.rochesterastronomy.org/sn2006/sn2006x.html
How bright is it ?
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To answer that, we have to know that the supernova is of type 1a and
that 10 days ago, when it was discovered, it was at mag 15.3. The last
data show that right now, the supernova has reached about magnitude
14. The rising portion of the light curve of a 1a supernova lasts
about 20 days so looking at the slope of the rise right now, more than
likely, the supernova has not reached its maximum yet. It is difficult
to be more precise than that at the moment. It is my guess that it
might reach about mag 13.5 in a few days (a week?) before starting to
decline again. The decline portion of the curve is a bit like the
climbing portion. After the maximum, the supernova should return at
mag ~ 15 after about 20 days then start a slower decline to dissapear
in a few months.
So, on Feb 25, the supernova might be around mag 13.5 or something
like that. What kind of telescope do you need to see that by eye? The
theoretical limit of a 8 inch telescope is about 14 mag so with great
seeing and dark sky, it might be possible to see it with a C8. It
should be much easier in a 10 or 12" scope. For Doug and his 22", it
should be very obvious, even while wearing sunglasses..... 
I will continue monitoring the light curve and try to give you a
better idea of the magnitude before the observing night. In a few more
nights, the light curve will be more precisely known so it should be
easier to get a good estimate of the supernova brightness.
Hope this helps. Happy SN2006X hunting!
Pierre
--
Dr. Pierre Martin
Director of Science Operations
Astronomy Group Manager
Staff Astronomer
Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope
http://www.cfht.hawaii.edu/~martin/martin.html
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