UCL's Astronomical Observatory in Mill Hill

A new supernova was seen to erupt in Messier 51, the 'Whirpool Galaxy', on 2011 May 31, and was widely announced on June 2. The above image, with the supernova indicated, was taken at ULO on June 3 by Steve Fossey and Bob Winter using a C14 telescope. At magnitude 14, the supernova was unusually bright – 'only' about 4000 times fainter than can be seen with the unaided eye.

Reports indicate that the supernova, designated SN 2011dh, was a type II (core-collapse) event, and that its brightness peaked around June 20, at about magnitude 12.5.