The image above shows the supernova that was discovered in galaxy M51 on May 31, 2011 by French amateur Amédée Riou. The image is actually an animated GIF file of two images I took of M51 on February 5, 2011 and June 8, 20011. If you look at the 8 o'clock position in the large galaxy you will see the Supernova appear as a "star" that comes and goes as the animation toggles between the two images.

Copyright 2011 Bernard Miller        

February 5 and June 8, 2011          

Location: Rancho Hidalgo, NM         

Telescope: TEC-140 (F7)              

Camera: SBIG ST-8300M                

Mount: AP900 GTO                     

Luminance: 12x10 minutes (binned 1x1)

Red: 6x10 minutes (binned 2x2)       

Green: 6x10 minutes (binned 2x2)     

Blue: 6x10 minutes (binned 2x2)