Supernova Search Group
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Summary. Main goal of our group is to establish a simple procedure for supernova search in galaxies. We will use standard procedure of Visnjan Observatory for CCD observations: taking exposure, correcting, cataloging. That will be done in coordination with Instrumentation Group and other groups using telescope time. Once observation is through this standard procedure, Supernova Search procedure is activated and picture of galaxy is examined for possible supernova event. What exactly to do is our job to find out. In the process we'll examine usefulness (for this application) of large software packages for astronomical image processing IRAF and MIDAS in the Unix environment.

Intro. Supernova is catastrophic stellar explosion in which released energy can outshine an entire galaxy of billions of stars. And that's only radiant energy: ten times as much energy is kinetic energy of material blow out and hunderd times energy is carried off by neutrinos. That energy alone brings some awe in our bones, not to mention that these bones exists due to such events.  A supernova explosion occurs when an evolved massive star has exhausted its nuclear fuel. Under these circumstances, the core becomes unstable againts collapse. There are two types of supernova Type I and Type II. Type I are suppoused to be binary systems with mass transfer. Type II appear to be more interesting: very massive stars, more than eight solar masses, lossing balance and dying.  After explosion, we have small massive neutron star and expanding supernova remnant. Interstellar medium is enriched to form next generation of stars and planetary systems and eventualy, our bodies. Observing supernova could be bad experience if you were to close but we long for good one: only five have been observed visually in our own Galaxy in the last thousand years. About ten supernovae are seen each year in other galaxies, but in a last few yars number of discoverd supernovae is growing. To lose any is too bad. That's why we need to scan galaxies in search for supernova.

                                                                                                        Alan Pevec

Observations:
                    14th July 1997
Supernova in NGC105

                    16th July 1997 Supernova in NGC3075

                    17th July 1997 Supernova in NGC105, Supernova in NGC3075

Literature:
Mitton J., A Concise Dictionary of Astronomy, Oxford University Press, 1991.
Vujnovic V., Zvijezde, pulsari, kolapsari..., UAD, 1978.
Muminovic M., Astronomija, 1985.
Data Management Division, Installation of MIDAS on UNIX Systems, ESO, 1996.
Royal Greenwich Observatory, Info. Leaflet No.63 'Supernovae', Web, 1996.

 

Editor: Ivan Turcin

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