Junior-Sized Supernova Discovered By New York Teen

Matt_dk writes "In November 2008, Caroline Moore, a 14-year-old student from upstate New York, discovered a supernova in a nearby galaxy, making her the youngest person ever to do so. Additional observations determined that the object, called SN 2008ha, is a new type of stellar explosion, 1000 times more powerful than a nova but 1000 times less powerful than a supernova. Astronomers say that it may be the weakest supernova ever seen."

Comments

It's misquoted

[ErikTheRed]

Astronomers say that it may be the weakest supernova ever seen.

What actually happened is that the astronomers were told that a 14-year-old child found a supernova that they'd all missed, and they groaned "Oh, that's weak!"

Re:It's misquoted

[KevinKnSC]

It bothers me that /. editors missed the obvious headline "Junior-Sized Supernova Discovered by Junior-Sized Astronomer."

Re:Neither Nova nor Supernova

[MozeeToby]

Just another planet firing up their LHC, nothing to see here.

Re:No light pollution there

[SkyDude]

I'm thinking that you may see stars if you've just arrived at the bottom of a well, but they won't be in the sky. You may also hear bells, birds and a lot of wincing.

Re:No light pollution there

[value_added]

Or possibly the sound of someone mumbling something about lotion.

Re:Sky coverage + Observing Time = Discoveries

[hcdejong]

IAU Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams

Telegrams?

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