Nova Search for Amateurs

Presenter(s): Robert Kaufman

Affiliation(s): Astronomical Society of Victoria

Session details: Saturday, 2020-04-11 01:30:00, SUN

Abstract

A nova is a transient event rather than a star, and causes the apparent advent of a ‘new’ bright star in the sky. This presentation will begin with a brief overview of novae and why they are of interest to the scientific community. It will examine the role of amateur astronomers in finding and in some cases identifying these objects and how this might change in the future. The presentation will go on to briefly address the various ways amateurs go about these searches (equipment, routines, etc.) and the reporting procedures. It will finish with some of the presenter’s own results.

Biography

Rob has had a lifelong interest in astronomy and has been undertaking a nova search for the last 10 years, with three credited discoveries. He has had a very varied working career in outback NSW and regional Victoria, including a long stint as a heritage consultant in his own business in Bright, Vic. In recent years Rob has been working in tourism in the Kimberley, WA, over the dry season, firstly giving nightly star talks for guests at the Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge in Purnululu National Park and more recently working on expedition cruise ships and giving star talks to passengers.