UGC 6930 and supernova SN 2020rcq: an image – 25 Aug. 2020

We imaged the bright supernova SN 2020rcq and its host galaxy UGC 6930, as part of our supernova follow-up program: here it is our image.

UGC 6930 and supernova SN 2020rcq. 25 Aug. 2020

UGC 6930 and supernova SN 2020rcq. 25 Aug. 2020

The image above comes from the average of seven, 120-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. At the time of imaging, the target was about 20 deg. above the NW horizon, so the images were obtained under less-than-ideal conditions.

The host spiral galaxy, UGC 6930, is placed at about 50 millions of light years from our planet and belongs to the so-called Messier 109 Group. As for the supernova, we estimated SN 2020rcq as bright as mag. 12.3 (unfiltered, R-mags for the reference stars from the Gaia DR1 star catalogue). This transient was discovered on 9 Aug. 2020 by the Zwicky Transient Facility and it is a type Ia supernova.

Further observations will follow, weather permitting.

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