[BAA-ebulletin 00802] SN in M106 (NGC4258)

[BAA electronic bulletins service]

A new supernova has been discovered near the core of M106 (NGC4258) at 
RA 12:18:57.71 Dec. +47:18:11.3 (J2000) placing it almost in the very 
centre of this barred spiral galaxy.  It was discovered on 2014 May 
19.25 by Pan-STARRS1 at about mag 15.0.

It is currently (2014 05 21.888) at about mag 13.5 (R mag using UCAC-4 
reference stars) as reported by Gianluca Masi, Francesca Nocentini and 
Patrick Schmeer, on CBAT 
http://www.cbat.eps.harvard.edu/unconf/followups/J12185771+471811%20.html

The astronomers telegram (ATel #6159) report further pre-discovery 
observations by the KAIT team when the object was first detected on 
images on Apr. 09.35.  The object then had a steady rise, with an 
increase of about 2 mag in the first two weeks. The brightness 
thereafter is roughly constant at 15 mag.

They then add that owing to the high background and the very small 
projected distance from the host nucleus, it is difficult to make a 
precise measurement of the brightness, but the light curve is 
consistent with that of a Type II-P supernova.

However, M106 is well placed in Canes Venatici in the evening sky at 
the moment and observations are encouraged..

Please report any magnitude estimates you are able to make to both Guy 
Hurst (guy at tahq.demon.co.uk) and the VSS 
(http://www.britastro.org/vss/data_submission.htm)

Roger Pickard
roger.pickard at sky.com
2014 May 22