Ten-year-old Amateur Astronomer Discovers a Supernova
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) has announced the discovery of a supernova by a ten-year-old amateur astronomer — the youngest person ever to have made such a discovery.
Comments:
I don't know to what extent this young person [aged 10] played in the discovery, but it would reassure me at least to some extent to have her involvement as "co-discoverer" explained. I don't mean to minimize the possibility she in fact was a co-discoverer, but when my 9 year wins a Latin prize at school for the best "model" I always give it to my wife. <br><br>Next time I'm looking for a supernova, I'm going to grab my 9 year old son <i>while looking for a supernova</i>, point to the screen and go, "What's that?", give him a nudge, and as he blurts out "supernova(?)" I'll then name him as a 9 yo co-discoverer of a supernova. 8O
My thought was, either Dad had looked for this type of stuff all the time and she took a turn while he minded the teapot. Or your solution of Dad barking 'Hey, whaddya think THAT is?'<br><br>And of course the pessimist in me said 'Now, nowhere for her to go but down.' Peaked a little early in her career. <br><br>Honestly, I think it's fantastic the Dad had involved her in a great hobby. Maybe this will encourage her to a career that leads to hundreds more discoveries and a salary of $20 quid a week.
I queried RASC re: the issue of her age and her role as co-discover of the super-nova. Here is the response I received:<br><br><i></i>"Dear Mr. Whitsett;<br><br><br>Thank you for your interest in our young astronomer's remarkable story.<br><br><br>Kathryn Gray most assuredly did discover the supernova. The two co-discoverers (one is her father) are amateur astronomers that had ceased supernova hunting themselves a couple of years ago. She decided on her own that she wanted to take it up herself. She pestered her father and requested that the privately-owned observatory be set up for SN hunting again. She visited the observatory and discussed her plans with the observatory owner, and he agreed to assist her. She provided the observatory owner with the list of galaxies to be imaged in the search. She had assistance from the two co-discoverers in setting up her search list and in programming the automated telescope to capture images. Kathryn herself retrieved the images from the telescope, ran the search software, examined the images obtained, searching, comparing and finding the supernova herself.<br><br><br>Her co-discoverers took the necessary steps to ensure the discovery was verified by the international professional astronomical community. The RASC did not release the story until we had independent verification of the discovery.<br><br><br>I do not know the extent of media coverage of this event in countries outside of Canada. Canadian media was, for the most part, quite clear in portraying her role as the leader in establishing this SN search program, and in this discovery. She is presently continuing with the search program.<br><br><br>Best regards,<br><br><br>Mary Lou Whitehorne<br>President, RASC"<br><br>This response appears to answer my original question and puts to rest my doubts.<br><br><br><br><br>
