2nd June

M63 Sunflower galaxy
15x10 minutes




3rd June

M51 Supernova
Unfortunately I switched from imaging M51 to M63 on the 2nd June and so missed the chance to discover the supernova.
This compares my 23rd May image with the 3rd June. The supernova should be easy to find.




Magnitude estimate
Eleven images were taken last night. Comparisons of the magnitude of the supernova were made against a
14.7 magnitude reference star and a 14.2 magnitude reference.



The average of the 22 readings is 14.51

A colour image:



11th June

M51 Supernova
The supernova has brightened considerably since 2nd June.



A sequence of images

From top to bottom:
May 23rd (before supernova),
June 2nd,
June 11th.

A bright Moon on the 11th made it difficult to show all three images at the same level of brightness. The core of the galaxy in the lower image looks much dimmer.

However, the supernova is clearly brighter than the stars to left and right, which was not the case on the 2nd June.

Photometry measurements give a magnitude of
12.64 compared to 14.51 on 3rd June.


















    

13th June

M51 Supernova
The magnitude recorded tonight is 12.55






    


Having never made magnitude measurements before, I was interested to see how my values compared to others taken by experienced variable star observers.

The three red points are my readings.
It is pleasing to see that there is good agreement.












  

26th June

M51 Supernova

Magnitude measured at 12.71

It looks like the slow dimming period has started.








  


Barnard's Star

This was imaged on 22nd June 2009, 22nd June 2010 and 26th June 2011
Barnard's star has the greatest proper motion of all stars, moving at 10.3 seconds of arc per year.
The star is quite easy to locate due to the 'flying geese' asterism slightly to the South-West of it.



Close Encounter!

An asteroid was discovered a few days ago that will make a very close pass of the Earth on the 27th June.
It is 5 - 20 metres across and will skim past the Earth missing by only 7500 miles.
I spent about 2 hours trying to locate the asteroid but could not locate it.
However, after very close scrutiny of the images I found that I had indeed recorded it.
It is so faint that it evaded easy detection.




This YouTube video shows 9 frames stitched together. The asteroid is rather difficult to spot.
Concentrate on the brightest star and then look slightly to the right. The asteroid moves downwards
to the bottom right at about 45 degrees.
The movie is speeded up and repeats many times to give you more chance of spotting the asteroid.
Note the tumbling effect that causes the asteroid to fade from dim to invisible to dim.

28th June

Abell39 Planetary nebula
This a tough one - very faint indeed!
11x10 minutes





28th June

Abell39 Planetary nebula
Total now 21 x 10 minutes Thenebula is not much brighter but the noise level is reduced.