10-Year-Old Girl Discovers Supernova

By Nancy Atkinson on January 3, 2011:

10-Year-Old Girl Discovers a Supernova

A ten-year old girl from Canada has discovered a supernova, making her the youngest person ever to find a stellar explosion. The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada announced the discovery by Kathryn Aurora Gray of Fredericton, New Brunswick, (wonderful middle name!) who was assisted by astronomers Paul Gray and David Lane.

Supernova 2010lt is a magnitude 17 supernova in galaxy UGC 3378 in the constellation of Camelopardalis, as reported on IAU Electronic Telegram 2618. The galaxy was imaged on New Year’s Eve 2010, and the supernova was discovered on January 2, 2011 by Kathryn and her father Paul.

See also here.

Brightest supernovae are in a class of their own: here.

Most Distant Supernova May Shed Light on Dark Energy: here.

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