NGC 4277 and supernova SN 2020ftl: an image – 18 May 2020

We imaged supernova SN 2020ftl and its host galaxy NGC 4277, as part of our supernova follow-up program: here we share our view with you.

Supernova SN 2020ftl in NGC 4277. 18 May 2020

Supernova SN 2020ftl in NGC 4277. 18 May 2020

The image above comes from the average of three, 300-seconds exposures, unfiltered, remotely taken with the “Elena” (PlaneWave 17″+Paramount ME+SBIG STL-6303E) robotic unit available as part of the Virtual Telescope Project. The supernova is indicated by an arrow in the upper left inset. The sky was not perfect, but reasonably good to get a nice image.

The host spiral galaxy, NGC 4277, is placed at about 95 millions of light years from our planet. As for the supernova, we estimated SN 2020ftl as bright as mag. 15.7 (unfiltered, R-mags for the reference stars from the Gaia DR1 star catalogue). This transient was discovered on 02 Apr. 2020 by Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey and Mirco Villi and it is a type Ia supernova.

As you can see, there are many other galaxies around: we are in the Virgo (the Maiden) constellation, hosting so many extra-galactic gems. We made a chart with all those galaxies properly labelled (N stays fro NGC).

Star chart with labels.

Star chart with labels.

Further observations ill follow, weather permitting.

Back to the “supernovae” page

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