September 16, 2011: Dr. Bradley Schaefer (LSU) requests fast time series of SN 2011fe over the next several weeks to attempt the detection of fast optical variations in supernova light.
The following request was prepared by Dr. Schaefer which we forward at his request:
On 13 September, 2011, we had the good fortune to have Dr. Michael Richmond, Physics Professor and Observatory Director for the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York chat with us about SN 2011fe and supernova photometry in general. Here is the transcript from that chat session.
SN 2011fe is the brightest supernova as seen from Earth in nearly 20 years. It's a rare event that astronomers around the world are excited about -- it's not only a beautiful spectacle, it may also teach us new things about supernovae and the universe that we live in. Here you'll find information on what SN 2011fe is, why astronomers around the world are watching it, and most importantly, how you can make your own observations and help create a scientific record of this supernova!
August 26, 2011
Discovered by: The Type Ia supernova science working group of the Palomar Transient Factory: Peter Nugent, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL), University of California at Berkeley; Mark Sullivan, Oxford University; David Bersier, Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU); D. A. Howell, Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network Inc., University of California at Santa Barbara; Rollin Thomas, LBL; Phil James, LJMU
