Philosophy
While some kids may want to be an astronomer when they grow up, one ten-year old girl has decided not to wait. Astronomy is not only in her blood, since her dad is an astronomer, but in her name as well. Kathryn Aurora Gray from Fredericton, New Brunswick became the youngest person to find a stellar explosion after she discovered a supernova on January 2nd.
The find, formally named Supernova 2010lt, was announced by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Kathryn found the supernova within an image taken at the Abbey Ridge Observatory on New Year’s Eve while being assisted by her dad, Paul Grey, and fellow astronomer David Lane.
Grey helped her daughter determine that the supernova she found was not an asteroid and was not on an existing list of known supernova. Lane, a local astronomer, verified the discovery and was the one who actually registered it on Kathryn’s behalf. Kathryn found the supernova using a process which compares new astronomical images to previously existing ones to find any changes.
Supernova 2010lt is a magnitude-17 supernova which resides within galaxy UGC 3378 which is 240 million light-years away. Supernovas are so bright compared to normal stars they can be found using modest telescopes. In fact, Kathryn’s discovery was verified by two amateur astronomers including Brian Tieman from Illinois and a fellow Canadian, Jack Newton, who currently resides in Arizona.
Deborah Thompson of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) is quoted as saying:
It’s fantastic that someone so young would be passionate about astronomy. What an incredible discovery. We’re all very excited.
- Lick Observatory May Be Shutdown
"Lick Observatory's astronomy research could end" by Lisa M. Krieger December 16th, 2013 mercurynews.com Astronomical research at Lick Observatory is in peril, due to the University of California's plans to cut funding and convert the 125-year-old...
- Amateur Astronomer, Tom Boles, Holds Record For Supernova Discoveries
"Astronomer Tom’s years of reaching for the stars" November 18th, 2012 Bury Free Press World record breaking astronomer Tom Boles has discovered more supernovas than anyone in history, has had an asteroid named after him and has even had the Hubble...
- Halloween Treats From Space
Black Widow Nebula In the constellation Circinus, where previous visible-light observations see only a faint hourglass-shaped patch of obscuring dust and gas, NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope's dust-piercing eyes see a big "Black Widow Nebula"...
- Pluto Photographic Plate
One of the famous photographic plates on which Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto "Rescuing our photographic heritage" Group moves to safeguard and archive astronomical plates. by Martin Ratcliffe April 22nd, 2005 Astronomy There are more than three...
- Caroline Moore...rising Astronomer
A remarkable career in the making. "The sky's no limit for Warwick teen astronomer" NASA has invited her to final shuttle launch by Alyssa Sunkin July 5th, 2011 Times Herald-Record At 17, Caroline Moore has accomplished more than most people do...
Philosophy
Never too young...Kathryn Aurora Gray
"10-year old girl becomes youngest to discover a supernova"
by
Brian Osborne
January 5th, 2011
geek.com
by
Brian Osborne
January 5th, 2011
geek.com
While some kids may want to be an astronomer when they grow up, one ten-year old girl has decided not to wait. Astronomy is not only in her blood, since her dad is an astronomer, but in her name as well. Kathryn Aurora Gray from Fredericton, New Brunswick became the youngest person to find a stellar explosion after she discovered a supernova on January 2nd.
The find, formally named Supernova 2010lt, was announced by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Kathryn found the supernova within an image taken at the Abbey Ridge Observatory on New Year’s Eve while being assisted by her dad, Paul Grey, and fellow astronomer David Lane.
Grey helped her daughter determine that the supernova she found was not an asteroid and was not on an existing list of known supernova. Lane, a local astronomer, verified the discovery and was the one who actually registered it on Kathryn’s behalf. Kathryn found the supernova using a process which compares new astronomical images to previously existing ones to find any changes.
Supernova 2010lt is a magnitude-17 supernova which resides within galaxy UGC 3378 which is 240 million light-years away. Supernovas are so bright compared to normal stars they can be found using modest telescopes. In fact, Kathryn’s discovery was verified by two amateur astronomers including Brian Tieman from Illinois and a fellow Canadian, Jack Newton, who currently resides in Arizona.
Deborah Thompson of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) is quoted as saying:
It’s fantastic that someone so young would be passionate about astronomy. What an incredible discovery. We’re all very excited.
- Lick Observatory May Be Shutdown
"Lick Observatory's astronomy research could end" by Lisa M. Krieger December 16th, 2013 mercurynews.com Astronomical research at Lick Observatory is in peril, due to the University of California's plans to cut funding and convert the 125-year-old...
- Amateur Astronomer, Tom Boles, Holds Record For Supernova Discoveries
"Astronomer Tom’s years of reaching for the stars" November 18th, 2012 Bury Free Press World record breaking astronomer Tom Boles has discovered more supernovas than anyone in history, has had an asteroid named after him and has even had the Hubble...
- Halloween Treats From Space
Black Widow Nebula In the constellation Circinus, where previous visible-light observations see only a faint hourglass-shaped patch of obscuring dust and gas, NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope's dust-piercing eyes see a big "Black Widow Nebula"...
- Pluto Photographic Plate
One of the famous photographic plates on which Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto "Rescuing our photographic heritage" Group moves to safeguard and archive astronomical plates. by Martin Ratcliffe April 22nd, 2005 Astronomy There are more than three...
- Caroline Moore...rising Astronomer
A remarkable career in the making. "The sky's no limit for Warwick teen astronomer" NASA has invited her to final shuttle launch by Alyssa Sunkin July 5th, 2011 Times Herald-Record At 17, Caroline Moore has accomplished more than most people do...