The Supernovae Search Team regularly observes about 200 galaxies to search for supernova events. Supernovae are interesting and vital objects in astronomy because their consistent luminosities are used as "standard candles," which allow for accurate measuring from Earth to their host galaxies. They are also the sources for most of the heavy metals in our universe, which have profound implications for life.
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Detecting supernovae requires detailed observations of individual galaxies over extended periods, making this project an ideal candidate for group participation. Recorded images are processed and analyzed using a "blink sequence" method to determine if a supernova is present.