M 101

Spiral galaxy M 101 (Pinwheel Galaxy) in constellation Ursa Major, at a distance of 21 Million light-years, with a diameter about twice our Milky Way galaxy. The data of the picture below were taken on 27 & 28 May 2023. Few days earlier, on 19 May 2023, a new Supernova was detected in one of the spiral arms of the galaxy. Supernova SN 2023ixf is a Type II supernova, an explosion that occurs after a massive star runs out of nuclear fuel and collapses.  The Supernova lies very close to the H-II region NGC 5461. 

Earlier observations (May 2017, see below),  do not show the exploded star.

Galaxy M101, 27 & 28 May 2023, Kempen, William Optics APO 110 mm, f/7, 

ASI1600mm pro, LRGB, L(12480 s), R(3600 s), G(3600 s), B(3480 s), gain 139, T = -10C. 

Auto-guiding. Image processing with PixInsight V1.8.9. 

The arrow shows the location of SN2023ixf, detected on 19 May 2023, south-west of H-II region NGC 5461.