SN in M82

Certainly Aubrey, three times including tonight.

Through the Nexstar SE8 it's unmissable really, the single brightest point in the galaxy and shining with a peculiar sharpness for a mag 11 object. There's a handy mag 10 comparison star close by (TYC 4383-2050-1 I believe), which, to my eyes at least, still has the upper hand in terms of brightness. Two similar stars directly east give the impression that the SN is the end-point of a four star chain.

I'm not great at the best of times for distinguishing star colours, if anything I would say it has a yellowish-white sparkle but its the concentrated intensity which strikes you; I can see several noticeably fainter points in the general vicinity, making me think the scope can get down to mag 13 or 14

To sum up, it's really quite an experience to just slew over to an well-known galaxy and witness a supernova staring back at you, while contemplating the fact that this spectacle is the manifestation of an event which took place long before humans ever walked the earth.

A spectrum of Supernova 2014J in Messier 82 is now updated on my website.
www.astroshot.com/
Clearly shows the spectrum line for Si II which proves that it is a Type Ia supernova
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_Ia_supernova

Hi All,
Had a clearing just now and this SN is really bright, stands out very well against M82,
Could pick it out immediately when I looked into the eyepiece.
I reckon its between mag 10 and 11 given the nearby stars in the same fov,

Also, have a look at the shadow transit of Jupiter which is on atm, the seeing is quiet good tonight, so far.

Oh dear, cloudy in Dublin.

Aubrey.

do keep trying Aubrey,
If you get a chance over the next week, it will still be bright enough to be seen, Your 6 inch refractor should be easily able to find it.

I got my first look at this supernova this morning at 6.15am, all I can say is wow! Just like a photo with that 3D effect, M82 was a very bright elongated galaxy with the supernova appearing as the brightest point if light hanging seemingly on to it's arm away from the centre.

I estimated it's brightness at magnitude 10.7, a pinpoint of light. What a wonderful sight at looking at looking at the galaxy with it's supernova from 12 million light years away ! I would encourage you all to get out and see this. It's worth it!

Keith..