| Abstract | The observational characteristics of the bright supernova 1979c discovered in the weak-barred spiral galaxy M100 are discussed. The UBV light and color curves of SN 1979c were derived from coordinated visual, photographic and photoelectric photometry carried out from April 15 to August 4, 1979 and supplementary prediscovery observations and IUE data. Values of 0.12 + or - 0.03 and 0.08 are estimated for the interstellar reddening in M100 in B-V and U-B, respectively, while values of 0.06 + or - 0.02 and 0.04 are adopted for the corresponding reddenings in the Galaxy. Total color excesses in B-V and U-B of 0.18 + or - 0.04 and 0.12 + or - 0.03, respectively, are thus obtained, corresponding to total extinctions in B of 0.75 and v of 0.55 magnitudes. A distance modulus of M100 of 30.30 + or - 0.15 is derived, which leads to a corrected absolute B magnitude for SN 1979c of -19.45, making it the brightest type II supernova on record. |
