From Microsoft Copilot 15/5/2026. I have not verified the accuracy of this information:
Yes — there are publicly available records tracking how the brightness of Supernova 2026kid in NGC 5907 has changed over time. The most detailed and quantitative record so far comes from amateur and professional monitoring during April–May 2026.
🔭 Concise takeaway
Supernova 2026kid was discovered at ~16.6 magnitude, brightened rapidly to ~15.0–15.5 magnitude within about two weeks, and by mid‑May 2026 was entering a plateau phase around 15.5–15.7 magnitude. astronomy.me.uk
📈 Documented brightness evolution (April–May 2026)
- Discovery brightness — The supernova was first detected at ~16.6 mag in April 2026.
astronomy.me.uk - Rapid rise phase — Over the next 1–2 weeks it brightened to ~15.0–15.5 mag, consistent with early Type II supernova behavior.
astronomy.me.uk - Plateau phase — By early–mid May 2026, reports show it stabilizing around 15.5–15.7 mag, with only slow fading.
astronomy.me.uk - Time‑lapse confirmation — NASA’s APOD (7 May 2026) published a three‑night time‑lapse showing the supernova brightening in NGC 5907, confirming the upward trend during early May.
apod.nasa.gov
🧭 Interpretation of the light curve
- The evolution matches a textbook Type II supernova:
- Shock breakout → rapid brightening
- Plateau phase lasting weeks to months
- Later: a steeper decline of 1–2 magnitudes as hydrogen recombination ends
astronomy.me.uk
- The supernova appears dim relative to intrinsic brightness because NGC 5907 is edge‑on, and dust in the disk absorbs light.
astrogroot.org
📚 Where to find ongoing brightness records
If you want continuous or updated photometry, the best sources are:
- Amateur photometry logs (e.g., LRO, AAVSO observers)
- APOD and NASA transient updates
- Local astronomy societies that have been imaging NGC 5907 since discovery
Would you like a compiled light‑curve graph, a day‑by‑day table, or help locating AAVSO data for SN 2026kid?
Chronological light‑curve data (with citations)
Discovery & first 48 hours
- 2026‑04‑22 — Discovery at 16.6 mag (Clear filter)
- 2026‑04‑22.847 — 15.8 mag (V)
- 2026‑04‑23 — Multiple clear-filter images, magnitudes ~15.6–15.9
Early rise (Days 2–7)
- 2026‑04‑24 (Day 2.15) — 16.22 ± 0.02 (Luminance)
- 2026‑04‑24 — Several independent measurements:
- 15.5 mag (Clear)
- 15.6 mag (Clear)
- 16.1 mag (V)
- 2026‑04‑25 — Values between 15.6–16.0 mag (C, V)
- 2026‑04‑26 (Day 4.40) — 16.11 ± 0.04 (Luminance)
- 2026‑04‑27 (Day 5.29) — 15.60 ± 0.16 (Red)
Peak / early plateau (Days 7–14)
- 2026‑04‑29 (Day 7.30) — 15.42 ± 0.22 (Red)
- 2026‑04‑29 — Clear-filter values around 15.4–15.6 mag
- 2026‑04‑30 — 15.6–15.8 mag (C, V)
- Early May 2026 — Multiple observers report ~15.0–15.5 mag, consistent with peak brightness for a Type II SN.
Mid‑May 2026 (Plateau phase)
- As of 12 May 2026 — Brightness stabilised around 15.5–15.7 mag, with very slow decline.
This behaviour is exactly what is expected for a Type II plateau (IIP) supernova.
What the combined data show
- Rise: From 16.6 → ~15.5 mag over ~7–10 days.
- Peak: Around 15.0–15.5 mag in early May.
- Plateau: Holding near 15.5–15.7 mag through mid‑May.
- Cause of dimness: NGC 5907 is edge‑on, so dust extinction reduces apparent brightness.