[vsnet-chat 625] Re: False alarms, ISN & Co.

["Steve H. Lucas" <76620.1721@compuserve.com>]

To Mirko, Stefano, the ISN and other Supernovae Enthusiasts:

(Please! Any responses would be appreciated via e-mail)

The dilemna of verifying supernovae is indeed a subject that needs to be
addressed, I am esthatic that the subject has finally been brought to light
via productive discussion. It is however, unfortunate, that the ISN (which
at this moment in time is one of the only publicly accessed amateur
vehicles for accomadating same) mailing list was used to air these
realities, rather than private  communication, through which directives and
guidelines could have been published on the ISN homepage....but this is now
"water under the bridge". One must remember that with the explosive usage
of CCD imaging for detecting these transcient events, we have placed
ourselves in a unique position of being pioneers in this specific field of
scientific endeavor, and thusly, subjected to short-comings, and
constructive input.....from these we learn.

It wasn't too long ago (1985-91) that I had personally organized a group
that was intended to accomplish the same function (only in the visual
mode). Back in those days, our group SUNSEARCH (SUperNova SEARCH) were more
than pioneers, we where the trail-blazers who tread into unfamiliar and
dangerous territories, and YES we too were given constructive input on our
role. Through the assistance of many knowledgeable amateurs and
professional astronomers we were shown the positive path to pursue. At one
point in time we were told that our efforts would be non-productive, and it
would be fruitless to embark on such a project.....two months later we
"bagged" our first supernova (1987L in NGC 2336), with the assistance of
Dr. Marsden and Dr. Filippenko. As we gained in knowledge and confidence we
were able to filter-out 30-40 false alarms per YEAR, that never reached the
CBAT. We would phone each other in the middle of the night for visual, or
photographic confirmation (try talking to an overseas telephone operator
who cannot understand you<g>), plus we had professional astronomers who
championed our cause. They would make verifications without question on a
handful of suspects, and NEVER did they complain to us that we were
overburdening them. 

I fear that with the aforementioned usage of the CCD camera, new problems
have to be addressed....we are new players in a game that in some cases
rivals our professional counterparts (depth of field). Another is that
unsubstaniated or solitary sightings HAVE to be scrutinized very carefully
by that particular researcher. Certainly the field of supernovae discovery
is competitive and anxiety and excitment sometimes over-shadow our normal
behaviour, but sometimes it takes a bit of time, and a team effort of not
so excited participants to realize a find. I feel very deeply saddened that
other areas of discovery (novae) have had no one to turn to and thusly have
lost valuable scientific information...these things do sometimes "fall
between the cracks", but they spur us on to hopefully arrange personal
adjustments. By aligning with professional verifiers, and observatories (as
we did in the eighties), or by creating our own spectroscopic verification
(as has been previously mentioned) network is of paramount importance for
this process to be successful. But it is sometimes not always the answer
for one reason or another. Picture the well-known Australian professional
astronomer who had three faint SNe discoveries (August, 1996) where no
spectrographic work, or follow-up was accomplished by anyone! (message to
Novanet, December 18, 1996). Until a definitive verification source/s is
implemented we have no alternative but to approach the subject matter in
the best way that we deem possible with the tools we have at hand, if we
stumble from time to time....then so be it! we are involved in a learning
process and as a result we are gaining knowledge and experience....isn't
that what its all about anyway in the name of science?

The construction of the vehicle that is called the International Supernovae
Network that you and Stefano have formed is certainly one of the most
useful endeavors that has happened to the amateur community in a long time.
I beseech you to continue with your dreams and your mandates. And I hope to
remain a part of this organization for many years to come....You both have
given the specific area of supernovae detection new meaning, in that
International communication and involvement can indeed work....you both
have worked very hard to make this progressive realization, a very worthy
ideal.....

 I am reminded of a "tongue-in-cheek" thought that I placed in a copy of
our newsletter many years ago:

"Once upon a time there were four people named EVERYBODY, SOMEBODY, ANYBODY
and NOBODY. There was an important task to be done. EVERYBODY thought
ANYBODY could do it, but that didn't come to pass. SOMEBODY got angry about
that, but NOBODY realized that EVERYBODY couldn't really do it. It ended up
that EVERYBODY blamed SOMEBODY when NOBODY did what ANYBODY could have
done."<g> (anoymous)

I apologize to all for being so long-winded.....

Sincerly,

Steve H. Lucas
International Supernovae Network
sub-webmaster under Mirko and Stefano

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