Catalina Sky Survey finds 700 “optical transients” and 177 supernovae
August 25th, 2009 - 3:16 pm ICT by ANIWashington, August 25 (ANI): Astronomers, using astronomical data from the University of Arizona’s Catalina Sky Survey, have found more than 700 unique “optical transients,” or objects that change brightness on time scales of minutes to years, as well as 177 supernovae.
Their discoveries include the most energetic supernova ever seen, and a nearby stellar explosion in the Antennae galaxy that is helping astronomers refine the cosmic distance scale.
Unlike most dedicated supernova surveys, Catalina Sky Survey telescopes cover the entire sky each month, allowing the team to record supernovae in dim galaxies where others weren’t looking.
The survey data includes 185 cataclysmic variable stars, which is about three out of every four such objects discovered over the same time span and more than the Sloan Digital Sky Survey found in six years.
This result suggests that cataclysmic variables are more common than previously thought.
The survey also found 32 blazars, or beamed active galactic nuclei. These very compact and highly variable energy sources are among the most violent phenomena in the universe.
Other findings include about 30 stellar flares, which are large explosions in stellar atmospheres, and about 100 highly erratic light sources that include active galactic nuclei, high proper motion stars and sources that remain unknown. (ANI)
- Unique sky survey to reveal new classes of astronomical objects - Jun 16, 2009
- Why massive stellar explosions occur in the tiniest of galaxies? - Apr 22, 2011
- New evidence on what triggered ancient Supernovas - Apr 27, 2011
- Cosmic accelerators discovered in Milky Way - Aug 18, 2010
- NASA's Swift satellite finds unseen black-hole-powered galaxies - Jan 21, 2011
- New Hubble observations reveal composition of 'star guts' pouring out - Sep 04, 2010
- What makes black holes at galaxy centre become active - Jun 16, 2010
- Study predicts occurrence of neutron star collision in local galaxies - Dec 03, 2010
- Measuring the cosmic distance using supernovae - Oct 25, 2010
- A spiral picture-perfect galaxy! - Feb 03, 2011
- New iPhone app lets you peek into the depths of universe - Apr 17, 2010
- Astrophysicists discover 12 oldest supernovas - Oct 05, 2011
- Mysteries of 'Green Pea' galaxies unveiled - Sep 11, 2010
- 'Watery, rocky planets are commonplace in the Milky Way' - Apr 13, 2010
- Telescope with world's most powerful digi cam to reveal universe's mysteries - Jun 18, 2010
Tags: active galactic nuclei, antennae galaxy, astronomical data, blazars, cataclysmic variable stars, cataclysmic variables, change brightness, digital sky survey, distance scale, large explosions, optical transients, proper motion, sloan digital, stellar atmospheres, stellar explosion, stellar flares, time scales, time span, university of arizona, variable energy