Aren't Aussie amateurs doing some great work? Supernovae discoveries, comet discoveries, great planetary images, Pluto occultation light curves, asteroid occultations, asteroid light curves, variable star observations ... etc etc.
Thanks for the report Greg and congratulations to Peter. I admire the patience, skills and diligence required to pursue this exciting but somewhat niche activity of amateur astronomy.
Congratulations Peter,
I knew it was only a matter of time for you to get one. Over 12000 thousand images to get it. Shows how rare of a discovery it is to nab one and at 17 magnitude , well done mate. Time and patience has payed off.
Once again well done mate .
Thanks indeed for your messages of congratulations.
We are indeed fortunate that in Australia and on this site there is a wealth of talented and knowledgeable people who are willing to assist at a moments notice, at anytime of night. A big thanks to Bob Evans, Steve Quirk, Greg Bock, Colin Drescher, Terry Lovejoy and Brendan Downs for their valuable advices and assistance with the reporting of my first discovery.
Berto Monard the prolific Supernova discoverer from South Africa was able to quickly image the suspect and get back to me with a very important confirmation/image.
I have attached a combined image put together by Greg Bock of several that I took of SN2008fa. My images are single 25 second images using a 12inch LX200ACF(R) operating in alt az mode @ F7 with a Starlight Xpress SXVH9.
Congratulations Peter!
You've done a tremendous amount of work on this and I'm very very happy that it's finally paid off for you.
So who's going to find the next one? You or Brendan?
A great discovery !
Always nice to see a Supernova going off in someone Else's Galaxy
I can see a good report on this one for my science show next week !
Coldspace mentions over 12000 images to nab your 1st supernova, I'm just wondering how many galaxies you would image in an average week, and how long this has taken overall?
I have been searching for supernova for about 12 years. In that time I have confirmed 3 for Bob Evans, come close to discovering a couple that had already been recently discovered and checked quite a few suspects for others along the way - I mention this as it has helped keep that spark alive and well. Initially I was searching visually and then about 4 years ago I switched to CCD imaging. This year I have really cranked up my imaging by making some of the process automated, but I choose to eyeball each image as I take them rather than check those images a day or so later. I have this year taken 5000 plus of those 12,000 images that Cold Space noted. As far as nights per week. I try to get in at least 3, weather permitting. In order to be more succesful at this I really need to start imaging early into the morning sky but there are family constraints on that.
Just as an aside, all the local papers have contacted me and are interested in "star blows up in galaxy far, far away". So rather than shy away from this I am using it to thank those who assisted and present our light pollution concerns - ie Brisbane skies could look like Beijing (topical) skies if we don't control/regulate/educate re our runaway lighting. We can legally protect a 100 year old derelict building for future generations but not our night skies for our kids, grandkids...
Sorry to be so long winded, but thanks.
Peter
thousand images to get it. Shows how rare of a discovery it is to nab one and at 17 magnitude , well done mate. Time and patience has payed off.
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