Sky Survey for Supernovae, it is essential to understand the importance of these cosmic events. Supernovae are stellar explosions marking the end of a star's life, resulting in highly luminous events. They play a crucial role in creating heavy elements and influencing galactic dynamics. Systematic observation of supernovae allows astronomers to study stellar evolution and the universe's expansion.
To conduct a sky survey for supernovae we in AOSR observatory use specific robotized model but is not much different of this steps and tips:
Target Galaxy Selection
- Nearby and Bright Galaxies: Prioritize nearby galaxies (within a few million light-years) as supernovae in these galaxies will be brighter and easier to detect.
- Galaxies with High Star Formation Rates: Focus on galaxies known for their active star formation, such as M82 (Cigar Galaxy) and M101 (Pinwheel Galaxy).
- Galaxy Catalogs: Use catalogs like Messier, NGC, and IC to select targets.
Observation Planning
- Regular Coverage: Obtain images of target galaxies at regular intervals (daily, if possible) to detect changes.
- Appropriate Filters: Use appropriate photometric filters (e.g., B, V, R) to capture light from supernovae of different types.
- Observation Conditions: Plan observations for ideal conditions (clear skies, low light pollution, no full moon).
Automation and Software
- Telescope Control Software: Use software that allows full automation of observations, including scheduling and image capture.
- Data Reduction: Use software to calibrate (dark frame subtraction, flat fielding) and align images.
- Supernova Detection: Software like SExtractor, Astrometry.net, or custom algorithms can be used to detect changes between consecutive images.
- Alert and Coordination Services: Transient Name Server (TNS), Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF).
Data Analysis
- Image Subtraction: Compare recent images with reference images to identify new bright objects.
- Supernova Confirmation: Candidate objects should be confirmed by comparison with catalogs of known stars and objects.
Reporting Discoveries
- Coordination with Observatories: Report supernova discoveries to networks like the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (CBAT) and Astronomer's Telegram (ATel).
- Collaboration: Work with other astronomers and observatories for confirmation and detailed study of discovered supernovae.
Our Example Plan
- Target Selection: Choose 50 galaxies from the Messier catalog visible from your observation location.
- Scheduling: Schedule daily or weekly observations depending on the number of galaxies and available time.
- Automation: Set up your observatory to automatically capture images and save data to a server.
- Processing: Implement an automated routine to process and compare images, highlighting potential changes.
- Manual Review: Manually review supernova candidates for confirmation before reporting.
Following these steps will maximize the chances of detecting supernovae and contribute to astronomical science.