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M101 – Supernova SN2023ixf

Supernova SN2023ixf is a Type II-L astrophysical event associated with the core collapse of a massive red supergiant star. It was discovered on 19 May 2023 in Messier 101, the Pinwheel Galaxy, located in the constellation Ursa Major at a distance of approximately 21 million light-years. The event reached a peak apparent magnitude of about +10.8 in late May 2023, making it observable with amateur telescopes because of its relative proximity and brightness. The comparison shows M101 on 16 April 2022, before the explosion, and on 7 July 2023, after the supernova appeared.

General information

Constellation
Ursa Major
Category
Galaxies
Date
7 July 2023
Capture sessions
16 Apr 2022 — Before the supernova
7 Jul 2023 — After the supernova

Capture

Total time
2h
Subframes
300s (L: 24x) bin1
Gain / Offset
125 / 30
Calibration
40 library dark frames, 30 flat frames and 27 dark-flat frames, without bias frames

Equipment

Telescope
TS102 f/5.6
Camera
ASI294MM at -10ºC
Filters
L Astronomik, 36 mm
Mount
HEQ-5 Pro belt drive
Guiding
PHD2, Guide scope 60mm f/4 + ASI224MC + PegasusAstro UCH + PPBMicro
Focuser
ZWO EAF
Filter wheel
ZWO EFW 7pos

Processing and environment

Processing
Stacked and post-processed with PixInsight 1.8.9-3
Acquisition
NINA
Location
l'Ampolla, Tarragona
Sky
Bortle 4

Annual visibility

191 days per year above +30° at 00:00 UTC from 41° N, 1.5° E.

Additional versions

M101 before the supernovaImage of M101 captured on 16 April 2022, more than a year before SN2023ixf exploded, with no supernova yet visible.
Close-up after the supernovaClose-up enlargement of the event field on 7 July 2023, with SN2023ixf clearly visible in one of M101’s spiral arms.
Close-up before the supernovaClose-up enlargement of the same field on 16 April 2022, allowing comparison with the pre-explosion region and confirming the absence of SN2023ixf.