Uncommon celestial event: A cataclysmic exploding star observed by amateur astronomers
In a remarkable feat of collaborative astronomy, a team of over 3,500 citizen scientists worldwide have played a crucial role in the discovery of a brilliant exploding star named GOTO0650. The Kilonova Seekers Project, launched in July 2023, has revolutionised the way we explore the cosmos by harnessing the power of global participation.
The project, which focuses on analysing vast datasets of astrophysical observations, has proven invaluable in identifying rare and transient celestial events that could easily be missed by professional astronomers alone. In the case of GOTO0650, the volunteers were quick to flag the object, enabling rapid follow-up observations from space telescopes and amateur astronomers around the world.
GOTO0650 is a cataclysmic variable star, a rare and fascinating cosmic phenomenon. Classified as a "period bouncer," this star is in its final state, making its discovery even more significant. The rapid identification and subsequent observations have allowed scientists to capture rare early-stage data on the star's light curve, X-ray emission, and spectrum, greatly enriching our understanding of such phenomena.
The Kilonova Seekers Project operates on a "spot the difference" technique, where volunteers classify transient events in near real-time. This accelerated discovery process has been instrumental in the project's success, enabling rapid scientific response. The project's first major published find, GOTO0650, has been a testament to this approach.
One of the project's contributors, Svetoslav Alexandrov from Bulgaria, shared his excitement about his discovery. Despite initial raised eyebrows from fellow commuters, Alexandrov celebrated when he learned that his idle star searching would lead to a research paper co-authorship.
The dataset collected on GOTO0650 includes X-ray, UV, and spectroscopy measurements, along with visual observations from amateur astronomers. This comprehensive data set has provided valuable insights into the object, leading to further observations from the Swift and Einstein Probe space observatories.
The discovery of GOTO0650 is a shining example of how citizen science complements professional astronomy. By managing large datasets that scientists alone cannot handle, the project fosters a broad and inclusive science community. In just six months, the project's volunteers made over 600,000 classifications to researchers, contributing to 20 new discoveries.
The public response to GOTO0650 has been significant, demonstrating the potential for citizen science to engage the public in frontline astrophysics. The project's success not only offers a new way to explore the universe but also provides a platform for public engagement and scientific inclusion.
[1] The Kilonova Seekers Project: A Revolution in Citizen Science and Astrophysics [2] GOTO0650: A Rare Period Bouncer Discovered by Citizen Scientists [3] The Role of Citizen Scientists in the Discovery and Analysis of Transient Celestial Events [4] Citizen Science and the Future of Astrophysics: Lessons from the Kilonova Seekers Project
- The Kilonova Seekers Project, a revolutionary initiative in citizen science and astrophysics, not only harnesses the power of global participation but also combines it with cutting-edge technology to delve deeper into space-and-astronomy.
- In the realm of science, the discovery of GOTO0650, a rare period bouncer, is a testament to the synergistic fusion of citizen scientists, physics, and technology, exemplifying the potential for collaborative astronomy to unveil salvos of knowledge about space phenomena.
