In 2011 appeared a supernova in M101 brighter than magnitude 10 at maximum brightness: SN2011fe. That's the brightest supernova after 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud, 24 years ago. Observing more SN require both a very good site and good training in order to reach 12-12,5 magnitude. For example, Laurent Ferrero (see drawings of comets and deep sky) reached Mv = 12.5 in Chile with his Takahashi FS60. In 2011, Patrick, a member of the 60mmtelescopeclub group from New Mexico, has observed SN2011dh in M51 (Mvmax = 12.0) and SN 2011B in NGC 2655 (= 12.7 Mvmax!). For my part, SN2011fe is the first supernova I see with a 60mm refractor.
Supernovae brighter than magnitude 13 since 1987 (RTF file).
Supernova SN 2011fe in M101, Melz-sur-Seine (France, 77)
SN 2011fe position (arrow). Stars visual magnitude : A : 10,18; B : 10,37; C : 11,04; D : 10,53; E : 10,79
M 101 and SN 2011fe, L D=60mm, F=800mm, F/D=13,3 , 40x, field : 1°, North is bottom
2011/09/23 21h UT, near Melz-sur-Seine (France, 77), alt. 75m. S=0, T=1, P=2
M 101 and SN 2011fe, L D=60mm, F=800mm, F/D=13,3 , 40x, field : 1°, North is bottom
2011/10/01 20h45 UT near Melz-sur-Seine (France, 77), alt. 75m. S=0, T=1, P=2
2011/09/23 21h UT, near Melz-sur-Seine (France, 77), alt. 75m "Milky Way well defined. S = 0, T = 1, P = 2.
Once in the field of M101 at x20, our attention is immediately drawn to a diffuse object with a stellar source, that I'd took at first for the center of M101,
not believing that the supernova was so easy to observe. At x40, however, M101's core and the supernova were well separated, the latter is obvious with averted vision,
much easier to see than the center of the galaxy, very poorly defined. After a lot of attention, we see from time to time the M101 core's glow more extensive, "reaching" up the supernova.
A comparison with field stars allows a rough estimate of the magnitude of SN2011fe, between those of star A (Mv 10.18) and B (Mv 10.37) on the drawing.
2011/10/01 20h45 UT, near Melz-sur-Seine (France, 77), alt. 75m: "S = 0, T = 1, P = 2. A week later ... The supernova has disappeared!
With more attention, no, it's still there but it decreased significantly in brightness: visible VI2, its brightness is between star C, visible VI3 (Mv 11.04), and E (Mv 10.79);
SN 2011fe has decreased in brightness of about half a magnitude ! "