Supernova Search:

Monitoring the Sunflower Galaxy (M63) for Early Detection of a Supernova Event

Vital to the eventual usefulness of a Supernova is early detection and awareness of unusual events within the resident galaxy. All potentially useful information results from analysis at the peak of luminosity within the event, therefore making it imperative that detection comes prior to the Supernova reaching its brightest point. With this in mind, as well as the unavoidable constraints associated with shared viewing in less than ideal circumstances, we designed a process to monitor M63 so that should such an event have occurred, we would have been able to diagnose the phenomena before full light was reached. The focus was therefore on obtaining useful information in a timely and efficient manner, often at the slight expense of image quality, yet with the intention of recording relevant observations without unnecessarily monopolizing the facilities. Indeed this often played a significant role in the observing process through either limiting time spent on the telescope, or, on several occasions, foregoing entire clear nights so that other groups had the time necessary to complete their projects.

Below are links to pages involving the motivation, implementation and interpretation our observations:

Why ? The mission statement and justification as to the usefulness of using valuable telescope time to conduct such a search.

How ? Overview of the general steps taken in obtaining images of M63.

Results–what we got!

Conclusion? Interpretation of data obtained through the analysis of images, as well as insights as to possible improvements and shortcomings of our search.

Movie- an animation of the images in chronological order. Shows how the galaxy moves with respect to us over time.