supernova SN 2011fe in M101 - The Virtual Telescope - Bellatrix Astronomical Observatory


	Supernova SN 2011fe in M101 - UMa Click on the image above for the highest resolution The brightness evolution of the supernova (the "blinking" star), as seen from the images grabbed by The Virtual Telescope This plot shows how SN 2011fe evolved in brightness, the so-called light curve, based on the Virtual Telescope images. A new supernova, SN 2011fe, has been reported on Aug 24, 2011, in M101 the famous "Pinwheel" galaxy in Ursa Major. This supernova was caught when it was still rising, giving to the astronomers a chance to track it since the beginning of the explosion. It resulted in a type- Ia SN. M101 was discovered by P. Méchain in 1781 and its distance is estimated in about 20 millions of light years.. The Virtual Telescope was able to image it the very first following night. This image was captured with the Planewave 17" unit, part of the Virtual Telescope Project. A total of 15 exposures, with 3 minutes of integration each, were averaged; images were unguided, completely trusting the Paramount ME mount, by Software Bisque. The CCD camera is a SBIG STL-6303E. The image scale is of 1.8 "/pixel and the galaxy was quite low above the horizon when the images were collected. Other images were obtained the following days and plans are to do some follow-up, as long as the galaxy will be visible from the observatory. On Aug. 27, another image was taken: Click on the image above for the highest resolution Another images was collected on Sept. 6: Click on the image above for the highest resolution The follow-up continues, here is an image from 11 Sept.: Click on the image above for the highest resolution All the images were captured with the Planewave 17" unit, part of the Virtual Telescope Project. A total of 10 exposures, with 3 minutes of integration each, were averaged; images were unguided, completely trusting the Paramount ME mount, by Software Bisque. The CCD camera is a SBIG STL-6303E. The image scale is of 1.2 "/pixel and the galaxy was quite low above the horizon when the images were collected. A comparison image showingh M101 before and after the supernova is here: Click on the image above for the highest resolution The comparison is also available as a movie below: Click on the image above for the highest resolution

Supernova SN 2011fe in M101 - UMa

Click on the image above for the highest resolution

The brightness evolution of the supernova (the "blinking" star), as seen from the images grabbed by The Virtual Telescope

This plot shows how SN 2011fe evolved in brightness, the so-called light curve, based on the Virtual Telescope images.

A new supernova, SN 2011fe, has been reported on Aug 24, 2011, in M101 the famous "Pinwheel" galaxy in Ursa Major. This supernova was caught when it was still rising, giving to the astronomers a chance to track it since the beginning of the explosion. It resulted in a type- Ia SN. M101 was discovered by P. Méchain in 1781 and its distance is estimated in about 20 millions of light years.. The Virtual Telescope was able to image it the very first following night.

This image was captured with the Planewave 17" unit, part of the Virtual Telescope Project. A total of 15 exposures, with 3 minutes of integration each, were averaged; images were unguided, completely trusting the Paramount ME mount, by Software Bisque. The CCD camera is a SBIG STL-6303E. The image scale is of 1.8 "/pixel and the galaxy was quite low above the horizon when the images were collected.

Other images were obtained the following days and plans are to do some follow-up, as long as the galaxy will be visible from the observatory.

On Aug. 27, another image was taken:

Click on the image above for the highest resolution

Another images was collected on Sept. 6:

Click on the image above for the highest resolution

The follow-up continues, here is an image from 11 Sept.:

Click on the image above for the highest resolution

All the images were captured with the Planewave 17" unit, part of the Virtual Telescope Project. A total of 10 exposures, with 3 minutes of integration each, were averaged; images were unguided, completely trusting the Paramount ME mount, by Software Bisque. The CCD camera is a SBIG STL-6303E. The image scale is of 1.2 "/pixel and the galaxy was quite low above the horizon when the images were collected.

A comparison image showingh M101 before and after the supernova is here:

Click on the image above for the highest resolution

The comparison is also available as a movie below:

Click on the image above for the highest resolution