Suspect Supernova M108?

Forums Deep Sky Suspect Supernova M108?

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  • #574005
    Adam Rawlinson
    Participant

    Hello 

    My first posting here and dont quite know what to do.

    I have just been looking at M108 and I have convinced myself that a supernova is present.

    Seems a bit unbelievable so is anyone any to check the attached image and/or have a look and confirm.?

    I have a FIT file and taking some better exposures as we speak.

    Dont shoot me down if this an error – but I cannot see an easy way to find out about reports and none of the images I have taken before have this pronounced bright point (normally seems far less bright) 

    Thanks

    Adam Rawlinson 

    Attachments:
    #579361
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Hi Adam,

    After reading your post I managed several  images of M108  no filter at 60 and 30 sec and with a V filter at 60 sec at about 02.00-0230 UT on 2018-04-20

    If you are referring to the bright centre (forground) star then this appears in images I’ve quickly looked at and  hence do not think there is any urgency and  will delay processing until later today as I’m far too tired now.

    Eric (Essex, UK)

    #579362
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    P.S.

    Apologies I used a  Celestron 14 edge + paramount MEII + QSI532

    Eric

    #579363
    Andy Wilson
    Keymaster

    Hi Adam,

    On this ocassion I think it is a foreground star. I’ve found some old images which show the bright star at that position.

    http://www.astrocruise.com/galaxies/m108.htm

    http://www.astrosurf.com/jwisn/m108.htm

    Though this bright star near the centre is not always so obvious as can be seen from Graham Winstanley’s image.

    https://britastro.org/node/10192

    It might be that it is a variable star, or possibly a very red star that shows up more prominently in some images than others depending on filters and equipment sensitivity. I’ve tried to identify the star to confirm its nature, but no luck.

    Good call though as it is always a good idea to check images for the unexpected.

    Cheers,

    Andy

    #579364
    Dr Paul Leyland
    Participant

    It is very likely 2MASS 11112688+5540232 which is indeed quite red. V=12.538, J=11.272 according to Vizier.

    #579366
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Following my earlier posts I have attached a couple of my images.  The foreground star is obvious, however, linear stretching reveals a fainter star close to this foreground star that gets lost in the glare of the brighter star.  I’ve not yet checked to see if this is normal in other archived images.

    Images taken on 2018-04-20  @ 02:37 and 02:21 hrs Ut  Unfiltered @ 60sec and 20 sec exposure respectively.

    Using C14 edge F:7.7, QSI 532 CCD camera, binned 3×3

    I also have V filtered images should they be required.

    Regards,

    Eric

    #579368
    Dr Paul Leyland
    Participant

    That one looks like 2MASS 11112757+554027  with J=14.822

    #579369
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Thanks Paul, mystery solved it would seem.

    Eric

    #579370
    Dr Paul Leyland
    Participant

    Perhaps.  IMAO you should check my assessment.  I could well be wrong and have been many times in the past.

    #579372
    Eric Watkins
    Participant

    Paul,

    just checked an image on Wikipedia and the images match-no SN.

    Cheers,

    Eric

    #579373
    Andy Wilson
    Keymaster

    The online resources of SIMBAD and Aladin can be very useful for investigations.

    http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/

    http://aladin.u-strasbg.fr/aladin.gml

    Here is M108 in Aladin Lite displaying an SDSS9 image with 2MASS point sources:

    http://aladin.unistra.fr/AladinLite/?target=11%2011%2030.967%2B55%2040%2026.84&fov=0.18&survey=P%2FSDSS9%2Fcolor

    Cheers,

    Andy

    #579374
    Adam Rawlinson
    Participant

    Thanks folks for all those helpful replies.

    Well I was glad I raised to question as now know where to look for verification etc…

    Will keep looking though!

    Adam

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