The "Double Star" Supernova, 2005/3/15 UT

[Dave Mitsky]

I was able to observe, but just barely, the recent supernova SN 2005am on Monday night using the 17" f/15 classical Cassegrain at the ASH Naylor Observatory. SN 2005am is a bright (13.5 magnitude) type Ia supernova that is located 17".6 east and 31" north of the center of the 11th magnitude spiral galaxy NGC 2811 in western Hydra. A "bright" star is situated approximately 8" southwest of SN 2005am. The result is a faux double star consisting of a star and an exploded star.

The supernova has a right ascension of 09h16m12s.47 and a declination of -16°18'16".0. It was discovered on 2005/02/22.733 by R. Martin.

NGC 2811 is on the Astronomical League's Herschel 400 list and is not particularly difficult to find. It is located to the southwest of Alphard (Alpha Hydrae). The galaxy has a bright stellar core but is otherwise unremarkable.

These two images are the most helpful in identifying the supernova of the ones I've seen:

http://astrosurf.com/jmllapasset/pubb/im_2...00503102102.JPG (http://astrosurf.com/jmllapasset/pubb/im_2005/2005_1/05amLL_C200503102102.JPG)

http://astrosurf.com/blazar/super/SN05/SN2...N2005am-rod.JPG (http://astrosurf.com/blazar/super/SN05/SN2005am-rod.JPG)

I had no problems acquiring NGC 2811 at 162x (40mm University Optics MK-70). Unfortunately, it was sitting right on top of the light dome produced by our friendlly neighborhood all-night ski run. On top of that, the astronomical seeing was very poor, which made a definite sighting even harder. Using averted vision and just a bit of averted imagination at magnifications of 202 (32mm U.O. Koenig-II) and 259x (25mm U.O. MK-70), I was able to catch fleeting glimpses of SN 2005am and its "companion" star.

Dave Mitsky

[vet]

hi---i became an experten snow-skier at night, cheap lift tickets---but light-pollution truly ****es me. in an age of 'rolling brown-outs', absurd energy cost is only equalled by public ignorance of 'what milky-way?' but i ramble---

surprising to hear of your using old standbys as UO Konigs, etc. it reinforces my experience---the observer is paramount---those old critters do the job---i wonder if a $300 ocular could possibly replace, or enhance your view? unlikely. cheers.

[Dave Mitsky]

As I'm sure you know, with an f/15 classical Cassegrain highly corrected designs are unnecessary. With a f/4.5 Newtonian Tele Vue Naglers and the like are required if astigmatism is to be avoided. Of course, the super wide-field designs offer larger apparent fields of view, 82 degrees versus the 70 degrees of the modified Koenig MK-70 line.

The University Optics oculars belong to the club. I rarely take my own eyepieces to the observatory.

http://www.astrohbg.org/naylor_observatory.php

http://www.astrohbg.org/gallery2/Tour-of-N...-Naylor/17_inch (http://www.astrohbg.org/gallery2/Tour-of-Naylor/17_inch)

Dave Mitsky