M101 with Supernova PTF11kly | Rod Pommier

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Photographer:

Rod Pommier

Location of Photo:

Pommier Observatory, Portland, OR, USA

Date/Time of photo:

2012-05-09 through 2012-05-14

Equipment:

Telescope/Mount: Celestron Compustar C14 with 0.75x Astrophysics focal reducer (f/8.3). Camera: SBIG STL11000M with Baader Planetarium L,R,G,B filters.

Description:

M101 imaged in May of 2012 shows that the supernova PTF11kly is still glowing. The supernova can be seen along the 5 o'clock radial from the core, about 3/4 the distance from the core to galaxy's edge, It appears distinctly blue in color. The supernova was a Type Ia discovered on 2011-08-24 by the Palomar Transient Factory. It peaked at magnitude 9.9 in mid September, 2011. Imaging it last summer and fall was not possible because my view of it from my observatory dome was blocked. Reports indicated it dropped to magnitude 13 by November. I was delighted to see it still glowing when the Oregon weather cleared in May with the galaxy high in the sky for imaging.