PeterM
19-07-2009, 10:41 AM
Hi all,
Yesterday Stuart Parker from New Zealand discovered his 2nd Supernova (in less than a month).
The galaxy is NGC7083, a beatiful barred spiral galaxy in Indus - well placed for follow up, up around 6pm Brissy time. The supernova is 14 arc seconds south of the nucleus (fairly close but quite obvious), around mag 15 and may well brighten.
Colin Drescher and I were able to assist with positional and magnitude estimates as well as a confirmation image from myself (attached).
I have no doubt Stuart will be posting more about the discovery here on IIS along with a colour image as soon as possible.
The supernova was also independently discoverd by Berto Monard from South Africa.
A hearty congratulations to Stuart.
http://www.rochesterastronomy.org/snimages/
Stuart's recent SN in NGC134 has had follow up radio observations that in short note - IAUC 9056 (these are International Astronomical Union Circulars) "Detection of radio emission near position of type 2b SN2009gj with VLA radio telescope. Measured position of radio source is in good agreement with optical position" (these were measured by Colin Drescher & Steve Quirk - good one guys) ends ... "Further study at all wavelength bands especially radio and Xray is warranted. VLA observations are continuing."
So yes, amateur astronomers can still play a huge role in astronomical discovery and the science that comes from that.
PeterM.
Yesterday Stuart Parker from New Zealand discovered his 2nd Supernova (in less than a month).
The galaxy is NGC7083, a beatiful barred spiral galaxy in Indus - well placed for follow up, up around 6pm Brissy time. The supernova is 14 arc seconds south of the nucleus (fairly close but quite obvious), around mag 15 and may well brighten.
Colin Drescher and I were able to assist with positional and magnitude estimates as well as a confirmation image from myself (attached).
I have no doubt Stuart will be posting more about the discovery here on IIS along with a colour image as soon as possible.
The supernova was also independently discoverd by Berto Monard from South Africa.
A hearty congratulations to Stuart.
http://www.rochesterastronomy.org/snimages/
Stuart's recent SN in NGC134 has had follow up radio observations that in short note - IAUC 9056 (these are International Astronomical Union Circulars) "Detection of radio emission near position of type 2b SN2009gj with VLA radio telescope. Measured position of radio source is in good agreement with optical position" (these were measured by Colin Drescher & Steve Quirk - good one guys) ends ... "Further study at all wavelength bands especially radio and Xray is warranted. VLA observations are continuing."
So yes, amateur astronomers can still play a huge role in astronomical discovery and the science that comes from that.
PeterM.