NGC 1365 and Supernova SN2012fr

[SkyViking]

Hi All,

Here is my image of the bright supernova SN2012fr in NGC 1365.

Link to full resolution image (1.7MB) (http://www.rolfolsenastrophotography.com/Astrophotography/Galaxies/25329559_xL3ckk#!i=2207208032&k=ZZMLJBt&lb=1&s=O)

Image details:
Date: 7th and 9th November 2012
Exposure: LRGB: 205:57:56:51m, total 6hrs 9mins @ -30C
Telescope: 10" Serrurier Truss Newtonian f/5
Camera: QSI 683wsg with Lodestar guider
Filters: Astrodon LRGB E-Series Gen 2
Taken from my observatory in Auckland, New Zealand

This large elegant barred spiral galaxy NGC 1365 is located in the southern constellation of Fornax at a distance of 56 million light years. The bright and intensely blue star directly below the galaxy core is supernova SN2012fr, which was discovered by Alain Klotz (TAROT La Silla telescope) on 27th October 2012.
As of 10th November 2012 the supernova appeared to be nearing its peak, with an R magnitude of 11.90. To get an idea of how bright this event is we can calculate the absolute magnitude M of the supernova using the following formula where m is the apparent magnitude and D the distance in parsecs:

M = m - 5(log10(D) - 1)

This gives an absolute magnitude of -19.27 for SN2012fr. This means that if the supernova had occurred at a distance to us similar to Betelgeuse (643 light years), then its apparent magnitude would be -12.80, same as the full Moon!

Attached is a smaller version, but check out the large version above to fully see the details of the galaxy.
I'm quite amazed how blue the supernova is!

Regards,
Rolf

[Larryp]

Nice image, Rolf!

[lepton3]

A stunning image Rolf, and a nice write-up.

-Ivan

[Martin Pugh]

Well done Rolf

I certainly detected the blueness in the SN also.

good catch.

Martin

[marco]

Great shot Rolf, you can clearly see the color of the sn and the galaxy nicely solved, fantastic image!

Clear skies
Marco

[Greg Bock]

Very nice shot Rolf, thanks for the image details too.

[anthony.tony]

Nice Work- Tony

[rogerg]

Great shot :thumbsup:

[multiweb]

That's a very cool shot Rolf. Great star colors and saturation. :thumbsup: It's amazing how one SN can outshine all the other stars in a galaxy hey?

[Ross G]

Great capture Rolf.

Ross.

[Park123]

Hi Rolf
Well done you got the blue alright.I buggered up the processing of the colour and washed it out I might have another go
Here is my first effort needs work when I have time.Not too happy with it.Better get back to supernova searching!!!!
Stu:(:(:(

[allan gould]

Rolf and Stu, both really lovely images. Had an attempt last night myself to see if I could get the Sn and I was surprised at how bright this one was - easily the brightest "star" in the field.
Here is two hours of data with light pollution but at least I managed to get a blue tint on the Sn

[Greg Bock]

Wow, great image Stu, fantastic detail, I wish the sky would deliver the goods here for us too.

[Leonardo70]

Great shot Rolf.

All the best,
Leo

[SkyViking]

Thank you Laurie :)


Thanks Ivan, it is an interesting supernova for sure!


Thank you Martin, yeah your image was great and btw ontratulations with the APOD :D
It seems the colour changed quite rapidly, it looks to be brighter in R now, but I haven't been able to take another look lately unfortunately.


Thank you Marco, I'm glad you liked it :)


Thanks Greg, and thank you for your detailed reporting on this event. Looking forward to the next one! :thumbsup:


Cheers Tony :)


Thanks Roger :)


Thanks Marc, yes it's a pretty powerful blast! Hopefully I won't be imaging Eta Carinae when it goes off, or my poor camera might be fried :P


Thanks Ross, glad you liked it :)


That's a top shot Stu, great colour and resolution in the galaxy too! :) And thanks for alerting us to this one, it must now be one of the most photographed supernovae in recent years I think.


Thanks Allan, and great image too, it looks nice and smooth. :)


Thank you Leo! :)