Gemini North Supernova SN 2023ixf Pinwheel Galaxy
NSF NOIRLab’s Gemini North telescope captured an incredible image of supernova SN 2023ixf caused by the explosion of a massive star in the spiral pinwheel galaxy Messier 101. In the coming months, this telescope will allow astronomers to study how the light from the supernova fades and how its spectrum evolves over time.


Gemini North Supernova SN 2023ixf Pinwheel Galaxy
This pinwheel galaxy is located around 21 million light-years from Earth in the direction of the constellation Ursa Major. Featuring a face-on orientation to Earth, it boasts a pristine view of its 170,000 light-year diameter and allows observers to marvel at its nearly one trillion stars.

Sale

Celestron - 70mm Travel Scope DX - Portable Refractor Telescope - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Ideal...

Celestron – 70mm Travel Scope DX – Portable Refractor Telescope – Fully-Coated Glass Optics – Ideal…

  • THE PERFECT ALL-IN-ONE TELESCOPE KIT: Travel Scope DX features fully-coated glass optics, a potent 70mm objective lens, a full-height tripod, a…
  • POWERFUL EYEPIECES FOR UP-CLOSE VIEWING: Our telescope for astronomy beginners is equipped with two high-quality eyepieces (20mm and 10mm) that…
  • LARGE 70MM OBJECTIVE LENS: This refractor telescope features a large, 70mm aperture objective lens that provides brighter, more detailed views…

The appearance of SN 2023ixf is rather serendipitous for the Gemini North telescope, which is back to observing with its primary mirror repaired and recoated after suffering damage in late 2022. The damage was limited to a small region outside of the light-collecting area of the mirror. Nevertheless, the repairs were carefully planned and completed to ensure that Gemini North could safely return to normal operations,” said NSF NOIRLab.