New Supernova

[Graeme]

Let me be the first to ask a question: Why is this supernova at the seven o'clock position whereas the other supernova was at the four o'clock position.

Because in space there is no up and down and nobody can hear you scream either!

Maybe a better question is why the two images have spirals going in opposite directions?

That's a good spot PJ. When an object passes the meridian the telescope has to flip over so that it doesn't fall over, but this doesn't create a mirror image, just an upside down image. Maybe NASA flew out past M101 and took the picture from the other side?

I might ask on the APOD forum.

Graeme

[Graeme]

Who's image is reversed, and how would someone really know?

Looking more closely, if you look at the two images I posted, the first one I posted was of the galaxy before the meridian flip and the second one, (it's a bit dimmer) that I marked the supernova location on, was of the galaxy after the meridian flip and the two spirals spiral in opposite directions!

It will be interesting to see what the processing software produces!

[ChrisGreaves]

When an object passes the meridian the telescope has to flip over so that it doesn't fall over, ...

Huh?
If I take it that you are referring to a NASA telescope mounted on a NASA satellite that oscillates between the northern and southern hemisphere of earth, that is a low-earth-orbit satellite, then why would the apparent image of the galaxy suddenly "flip over". After all, the LEO satellite must maintain a constant view of the object in the far sky, right?
And if you are referring to an earth-mounted telescope, then the same rule should apply.

I cannot now remember what Orion looked like when I was in my teens in Australia.
I shall have to think about this and imagine myself standing there, and standing here, and see what a constellation looks like.
Cheers, Chris

[Graeme]

If I take it that you are referring to a NASA telescope mounted on a NASA satellite that oscillates between the northern and southern hemisphere of earth,

No, I mean the one in my back garden! It's on a German equatorial mount and when the target passes the meridian it has to do a meridian flip.

I shall have to think about this

As will I!

Graeme

[kdock]

So... is Spiral Galaxy 101 really messier than, say, Spiral Galaxy 100?

Kim

[HansV]

[Graeme]

So... is Spiral Galaxy 101 really messier than, say, Spiral Galaxy 100?

Kim

A bit:

M100.jpg

[Graeme]

Here's my M101 half way through the processing process (but I have to go to bed now!)

M101.jpg

Definitely anticlockwise!

[HansV]

Already looking great!