[ngcles]

Hi All,

I've just learned from Brian Skiff on the AMASTRO mailing list that a supernova has been discovered in the nearby galaxy NGC 7793.

NGC 7793 is a member of the Sculptor or South Polar group of galaxies -- one of the nearest groups to the Local Group. NGC 7793 is an SA(s)d type galaxy and is estimated to be about 12 mly distant.

The position of the new object is RA 23 57 47.5 Dec -32 33 24 (J2000), which according to Brian, is 26 arc-seconds east and 138 arc-seconds north of the host galaxy's nucleus. This is probably within the outer (visible) halo of the galaxy.

At present it is estimated at mag +12.6. The type of event is not known at this stage or whether it will brighten further.

Pity that part of the sky is virtually in conjunction with the Sun! Pre-dawn might be the best bet to see it at this stage.

Best,

Les D
Contributing Editor
AS&T