Spiral Galaxy NGC
3877 with Supernova 1998s
CCD Image of Supernova 1998s
in Galaxy NGC 3877 taken on March 26th, 1998 at 2:50 UT. It is a 3.75 minute
exposure using an SBIG ST-6 thru Kopernik's 20 inch F/8.1 telescope. North
at top;
field: about 5x7 arc minutes. This is one of the brightest supernovae appearing
1998.
The following is the data on SN
1998s:
Discovered: March 3rd, 1998, at
Beijing Observatory by Zhou Wan
- RA: 11h 46m 06s
- Dec: +47deg. 29m 0.0s
- Mag 15.2(at discovery), maximum
was brighter than 12.5, Type IIn, showing some characteristics of a Wolf-Rayet
star.
The following information appeared
in International Astronomical Union Circular(IUAC) 6830:
- A low-resolution Keck-2 spectrum shows that the
type-II SN 1998S is peculiar; the spectrum contains prominent H and He
emission lines superposed on a featureless blue continuum. In many respects,
the spectrum resembles that of the type-IIn...... the lines have multiple
components, including a very narrow (unresolved) one that is probably produced
by flash- ionized circumstellar gas. This object might become very luminous
at radio and x-ray wavelengths, due to strong interaction between the ejecta
and circumstellar material.......
This is the data on
spiral galaxy NGC 3877 itself:
- Magnitude: 11.9
- RA: 11h 46m 8.0s
- Dec: +47d 29' 39" Epoch
2000
- Size (mins) 5.5 x 1.3
- Constellation Ursa Major
- Description in Deep
Sky Field Guide to Uranometria 2000: Bright middle, no bright
nucleus but star superimposed very near, two main knotty arms
- de Vaucouleurs classification:
SA(s)c: II-III
In English: Spiral, S-shaped (uncertain) luminosity class II-III .
Click below to
George Normandin, KAS
March 26th, 1998
revised Oct. 1st, 1998