Quote:
Originally Posted by PeterM
Good question that I didn't really answer.
The new star is really classed by the International Astronomical Union in their announcement as an "apparent supernova". This announcement is sent out to all subscribers to the CBET service (Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams - "Telegrams" being as sort of ongoing tradition even though they are emails) that reports transient objects - this site explains it better http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/cbat.html Subscribers include major observatories who may take spectra of the apparent supernova to determine its type, broadly Type 1a or 2 (there are other classes). As I understand it, professionals are now mainly interested in supernova brighter than mag 14 (usually means they are close) and secondly if fainter and there is a negative observation within about a week prior to discovery (means they are caught early). This gives them the window of opportunity to see the supernova rise in brightness and that will then tell them much more about the processes that may have initiated the Supernova, which seems somewhat but not entirely understood.
Sn2008fa has risen in brightness, last night my images and images from Steve Quirk put it at about mag16.5, so it has probably peaked. My last observation prior to discovery was over a week old.
Have any professional scopes taken spectra to determine type - don't know, may be some time yet before we know. But is it a Supernova? The odds say certainly yes as it has followed the pattern of so many before it and it will fade like them into obscurity in a few weeks (there is an interesting case with a recent transient discovery in NGC300 - not a SN or Nova or variable, perhaps stars colliding? )
So why only 8 posts on Ice In Space? My interest is firmly in Supernova hunting, I spend most nights in my observatory, I have a 20yr old son who requires most all of my time during the day. I do enjoy reading posts on Ice In Space and do so as often as I can. I have been surprised by the interest in my discovery and seeing the posts from so many well wishers. So here is my opportunity to give a thank you back.
Thank you Paul for your excellent question.
Regards
Peter |
Peter,
thanks very much for that also excellent explanation. I'm glad I asked, and now I really do understand the process behind the discovery and classification of these objects. Many thanks for your time and trouble Peter. Hey, maybe if more of us spent more time looking upwards and less time on here, we might be in the running to make a valuable contribution also
Happy hunting in future !
Best wishes
