Supernova SN 2026kid in NGC5907: The Splinter Galaxy, Draco

 

                                      NGC 5907 with SN 2026kid supernova

Data for all images captured with the Seestar S30 smart-scope
from the Jodrell Plank Observatory Lowestoft.
Images Credit: Kurt Thrust

"The continued poor weather, the location of the jet stream overhead and the shortening of night as the summer advances, has reduced astro-imaging at the Jodrell Plank Observatory. The JPO Team determined to capture photons from the newly discovered supernova in the Splinter Galaxy and constellation Draco. Our Director Kurt Thrust wondered whether our smallest aperture telescope, the Seestar S30 would have sufficient light grasp to image the supernova, which at an apparent magnitude of 15, is very faint indeed. The unaided human eye can see stars down to magnitude 6, the scale is logarithmic and gets fainter with increasing positive magnitudes. As a guide, Venus the brightest planet in the sky, varies between minus (-)4 and minus (-)5".  

Unfortunately on the night we captured the data there was some high level thin cloud which was detrimental to image clarity.- Joel Cairo CEO of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

"The bright stellar point visible against the thin glowing disk of NGC 5907 is a supernova: SN 2026kid, discovered in April 2026 within the edge-on spiral galaxy commonly known as the Splinter Galaxy or Knife Edge Galaxy. The galaxy lies approximately 50 million light-years away in the northern constellation Draco. Kurt wondered whether the

What appears in the Seestar image as a single bright “star” is actually the catastrophic death of a massive star that exploded tens of millions of years ago, long before humans existed. The light from that explosion has only just reached Earth. SN 2026kid is classified as a Type II supernova, meaning the progenitor star retained much of its hydrogen envelope when its core collapsed under gravity.

NGC 5907 itself is an especially striking target because we view it almost perfectly edge-on. Its narrow spindle shape and dark dust lane reveal the structure of a spiral galaxy from the side, offering a perspective similar to how an external observer might see our own Milky Way. The galaxy contains relatively little active star formation compared with many spirals, making the appearance of a bright supernova particularly noteworthy.

Astronomers are especially interested in supernovae because they are fundamental to cosmic evolution. These explosions forge and disperse heavy elements — including oxygen, calcium, silicon and iron — into interstellar space. The material expelled by ancient supernovae eventually becomes incorporated into new stars, planets, and ultimately living organisms. In a very real sense, the atoms in Earth and in our own bodies were created in stars like the one that exploded in NGC 5907.

The images also capture an important aspect of modern astronomy: scientifically useful observations are now possible with compact smart telescopes such as the Seestar S30. Amateur astronomers worldwide have been imaging SN 2026kid and monitoring how its brightness changes over time, contributing valuable observational records of this transient event.

Observed from Lowestoft, Suffolk, UK, the galaxy sits high in northern skies during spring evenings, making it well placed for long integrations even with modest aperture instruments. The combination of the delicate dust lane, the razor-thin galactic profile, and the brief appearance of a supernova creates a scene that connects human observers directly with stellar evolution on a galactic scale".  Professor G.P.T Chat visiting astrophysicist at the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

Widefield view from the Seestar S30 in equatorial mode
 stack of 1 minute lights Image Credit: Kurt Thrust

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Size and apparent size in the night sky

 

Images of the Solar Disc (photosphere) and the full Moon. Seestar S30 from the JPO
Image credit: Kurt Thrust.

"The Sun and the Moon appear to be the same size in the sky, when viewed at the same altitude. If they didn't, a total solar eclipse would not happen when they align in sky.  The Moon would be unable to fully cover the solar disc and an annular rather than full eclipse would occur..

In reality the actual diameter of the Solar disc is x400 that of the diameter of the Moon. At this period in time, the Sun is x400 further away than the Moon and that is why they appear in the sky as the same size.

The Moon is slowly moving further away from the Earth at 3.8cms per year. This is the same rate at which human fingernails grow. 

The Moon is moving away from the Earth because of a transfer of gravitational energy from the Earth to the Moon. The Moon acquires kinetic energy, its orbital velocity increases and its orbit lengthens requiring the Moon to move further away to maintain dynamic equilibrium. Similar gravity transfers of energy between the Earth, the planets and space probes in orbit are used to propel the spacecraft on longer elliptical journeys to other planets in the Solar System. 

It is thought, that last total solar eclipse, due to the Moon' moving further away from the Earth, will happen in 650 million years time. So astro-punters, no need to hurry on the eclipse chasing front!

The next time you look at the Moon, check whether you need a manicure, 'wink' and think of Neil.

For fun and giggles, Pip Stakkert created a 'faux partial eclipse of the Sun' to wile away an hour on a Bank Holiday afternoon". - Joel Cairo CEO of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.