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 |
Wallpapers
Coordinates
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
Band | Wave-length | Tele-scope |
---|---|---|
Optical g | 475 nm | Gemini North GMOS-N |
Optical r | 630 nm | Gemini North GMOS-N |
Optical i | 780 nm | Gemini North GMOS-N |
Optical H-alpha | 656 nm | Gemini North GMOS-N |