Gemini North Back On Sky With Dazzling Image of Supernova in the Pinwheel Galaxy

Gemini North, part of the International Gemini Observatory operated by NSF’s NOIRLab, is back observing the night sky following the repair and refurbishment of its primary mirror. The telescope’s debut observation captured the supernova dubbed SN 2023ixf (lower left), which was discovered on 19 May by Japanese astronomer Koichi Itagaki. This dazzling point of light, the closest supernova seen in the past five years, is located along one of the spiral arms of the Pinwheel Galaxy (Messier 101). 

Credit:

International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA

Image Processing: J. Miller (Gemini Observatory/NSF’s NOIRLab), M. Rodriguez (Gemini Observatory/NSF’s NOIRLab), M. Zamani (NSF’s NOIRLab), T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF’s NOIRLab) & D. de Martin (NSF’s NOIRLab).

Astronomical processing done with DRAGONS 3.1.

 

About the Image

Id:noirlab2315a
Type:Observation
Release date:June 7, 2023, 8 a.m.
Related releases:noirlab2315
Size:3757 x 1988 px

About the Object

Name:M101, Pinwheel Galaxy, SN 2023ixf
Distance:23 million light years
Constellation:Ursa Major
Category:Galaxies

Image Formats

Large JPEGLarge JPEG
2.6 MB
Screensize JPEGScreensize JPEG
222.7 KB

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Coordinates

ObjectValue
Position (RA):14 3 15.06
Position (Dec):54° 19' 5.24"
Field of view:10.12 x 5.36 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.1° right of vertical


Colors & filters

BandWave-lengthTele-scope
Optical
g
475 nmGemini North
GMOS-N
Optical
r
630 nmGemini North
GMOS-N
Optical
i
780 nmGemini North
GMOS-N
Optical
H-alpha
656 nmGemini North
GMOS-N