Skies are starting to clear! Here's 20.5 hours of Caldwell 36 with 2" average FWHM on 30 minute L subs in 21.2 SQM skies.
NGC 4559 (also known as Caldwell 36) is an intermediate spiral galaxy with a weak inner ring structure in the constellation Coma Berenices. Distance estimates for NGC 4559 range from about 28 million light-years to 31 million light-years.
The Luminous Blue Variable (LBV) in NGC 4559 experiences repeated supernova-like outbursts. First observed in January 2012, it burst out again nearly every year since. The latest observation by Giancarlo Cortini:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/snimages/53642518486/Can you find this rare LBV in this image? (-:
LBVs are massive, supergiant stars that show random variations in their brightness and spectra. These stars seem to be extremely rare; there are currently only around 20 stars with this classification in the General Catalogue of Variable Stars (and some of those are disputed). They are some of the most luminous stars in existence, often experiencing dramatic outbursts and occasionally undergoing violent eruptions. During “giant outbursts” these stars brighten significantly and lose mass, causing these eruptions to sometimes be mistaken for supernova explosions. Like other massive stars, LBVs have short lives. They evolve quickly and shine for only a few million years.
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