10-year-old girl discovers a supernova
Tuesday, January 4, 2011 - 10:00
in Astronomy & Space
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 Years Eve 2010, and the supernova was discovered on January 2, 2011 by Kathryn and her father Paul.