Back with a Bang: Gemini DD Observations of Supernova 2023ixf

Gemini North’s first science observations were of the Type II SN 2023ixf, the closest supernova discovered in nearly a decade. Gemini was able to join a global community of astronomers collecting data on this unique object. Gemini data for this SN were made public via the Gemini archive immediately, with data taken on GMOS, GNIRS, and ‘Alopeke. These Gemini data will be used to characterize the optical and infrared characteristics of the SN and, in conjunction with archival pre-explosion HST data, pinpoint the location of 2023ixf’s candidate progenitor star.

The GMOS image of the SN below, processed with Gemini’s DRAGONS software, shows the SN and its environment in M101.