Supernova SN 2020nlb in Messier 85 is still rising! 29 June 2020
We continue to monitor supernova SN 2020nlb in the galaxy Messier 85, while it evolves. Last night it was even brighter!
Supernova SN 2020nlb in Messier 85: an image – 29 June 2020
The image above comes from the average of five, 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. The sky was bright because of twilight.
The supernova was significantly brighter than the previous night. Since its discovery, it steadily increased in brightness, as expected from an object caught so early in its explosion. On the first night, June 25.8271, we have found SN 2020nlb at mag. 16.8; on June 26.8442 at mag. 15.6; on June 27.8392 at mag. 15.0; on June 28.8707 at mag. 14.4. Now (June 29.8399) we find it at mag. 13.9 (unfiltered, R-mags for the reference stars from the Gaia DR1 star catalogue). The transient is clearly rising. This being a type Ia supernova, considering the distance of the host galaxy (Messier 85), it could reach magnitude 12.0/12.5 or so, assuming it behaves normally and there is no absorption.
Of course, we plan extensive follow-up of this object.
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