The Australian National University has issue a singular call to arms : Help astronomers find more supernovae . The end is as simple as it is unsounded . Supernovae are used as cosmic milestones and by measuring their aloofness , researchers trust to understand the accelerated elaboration of the universe of discourse .
The project is part of the citizen skill portalZooniverse . the great unwashed concerned in the subject area will be asked to look at old and novel epitome from the SkyMapper Transient Survey in the hope to spy differences . A supernova can outshine its host galaxy for a few weeks .
Researchers are particularly interested in Type Ia supernova . These are shape in a binary system of rules when a whitened dwarf steal so much material from a companion that it give way under its own mass . These object always have the same true luminousness , and by measuring how bright they seem to us , astronomers can work out how far they are .
This is why they are call “ standard candles ” . By know the aloofness , scientists can easily empathise where galax are located in the cosmos and even suffice some profound questions about the universe that are yet to be settle .
“ Using explode ace as marker all across the Universe , we can measure how the Universe is growing and what it ’s doing , ” say Brad Tucker from the ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics in astatement . “ We can then utilise that info to well understand dark energy , the cause of the Universe ’s speedup . ”
coloured energy is the occult force that ’s causing the existence to expatiate . We do n’t screw what it is ( it ’s yet to be confirmed ) and we only see its effects , namely the accelerated expansion of the world , so we need to get as many supernova mensurate as possible .
There are about three supernovae per galaxy per century and they ride out in their vivid phase for just a smattering of week . However , there are million of galax out there . The easy selection is an automatic sight that convey pictures , but there are too many images ( thousands every calendar month ) for any individual group of scientists to go through – that ’s why they need your help .
“ 1000 of passionate people can reach things that would take scientist working alone years to do , ” Tucker add . “ With the force of the people , we can check these images in minutes and get another scope to follow up . ”
There are many different transeunt event that might be recorded by SkyMapper , beyond Type Ia supernova . And you may still do it for the glory .
“ The first multitude who name an object that turns out to be a supernova will be publicly tell apart as Centennial State - discoverer , ” read Anais Möller , also from ANU .
What are you waiting for?Astronomy needs you !
