[vsnet-chat 690] Update Of +50 To The Pole SN Search Project

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

Supernova Fans:
                             
UPDATE OF +50 TO THE POLE PROJECT IN SEARCH OF SUPERNOVAE (1995-1997)

FORWARD:

The program Sunsrch.zip (Pole # 1) was presented to the International
Supernovae Network on 1/9/95 to aid the prospective supernovae hunter in
detecting extragalactic supernova events in a controlled area of from +50
degrees to the Pole. Here is a updated summary of that program.

THE PROGRAM (Part 1):

A study of the "Shapley-Ames Catalog of Bright Galaxies" in the control
area indicate that there are approx. 130 galaxies of varying types brighter
than 12.5m, which would put these galaxies within the realm of the amateur
astronomer with a moderate-sized telescope.

RESULTS OF PART I:

Thirteen supernovae events (involving varying galaxy magnitude ranges) were
found within a two year period in the declination bins of +50 - +90 degrees
(December, 1994 - December, 1996). Four events (within the parameters of
Part 1 of this program) were found by amateur astronomers, with the latter
being shared with professionals (SNe 1995E, 1996bk, and 1996bu, and
1996cc). In addition nine events (SNe 1995F, 1995J, 1995O, 1995X, 1995ag,
1996ah, 1996bn, 1996bv and 1996by) were found which were fainter than the
limitations of this program.

LAST YEAR PART II (POLE 2) WAS IMPLEMENTED. HERE IS AN OVERVIEW OF THAT
PROGRAM:

In the second installment of searching for supernovae (SNe) from +50 to the
Pole an additional 172 target galaxies will be added to the program. These
galaxies will be brighter than magnitude 13.4, (but fainter than 12.5m as
per Part 1 of this program) and are gleaned from the Shapley-Ames Catalog
(Appendix A) (Note: The magnitudes of some of the entities have had more
updated values associated with them, hence they might fall outside of the
limitations of the catalog data). It is the intent of this program to
extend the capabilities (or limiting magnitude) of target galaxies to those
visual observers who possess larger aperture scopes. These, and any
additional galaxies (124) that appear within the same field as the target
entities (~15' field) may also be used by CCD/deep photographic search
initiatives. 

Results of 1997:

There were 18 SNe discovered (involving varying galaxy magnitude ranges) in
the declination bins of +50 to +90 in 1997. Six events were found by
amateurs (SN's 1997E, 1997bq, 1997cx, 1997da, 1997db, and 1997ei), and 12
events were found by others (SN's 1997T, 1997Y, 1997bm, 1997ca, 1997cb,
1997cc, 1997ch, 1997ci, 1997cj, 1997ct, 1997di, and 1997ea). Of the events
found, three fell within the parameters of the +50 to the Pole project
[Parts I and II] (SN1997e in NGC 2258, SN1997bq in NGC 3147, and SN1997ei
in NGC 3963). Thus far seven events have been found in the control area
since its inception (Parts I and II). (NOTE: In 1997 the successes of an
automated amateur SNe search were realized....Michael Schwartz of Oregon
discovered three catalogued events as a result of his efforts. We hope to
see many more discoveries from this inspired searcher).

Events by Order of Declination:

        +50     +60     +70     +80
        
          7       5       4       2

Types of Events:

        Type Ia         Type I?         Type II         Unclas.

           8              1                5                4

CATALOGED SUPERNOVAE IN THE CONTROL AREA (1885-1997):

To date (December 31, 1997) ~1235 (+/-) SNe events have been cataloged
since 1885. The total events occuring within the +50 - 90 degree
declination bin (all galaxy magnitude ranges) is 143 (+/-), yielding a
percentage find of 11.57%. The events (18) in 1997 accounted for 11.46%,
(157 total events) which is fairly consistent with the over-all percentage.

+50

1909A, 1912A, 1917A, 1937A, 1939C, 1940A, 1940C, 1940D, 1946A, 1948B,
1951H, 1953G, 1953H?, 1954C, 1955A, 1955E, 1956A, 1957A, 1963J, 1963K,
1963O, 1964A, 1964E, 1964O(INTERGAL?), 1965L, 1965O, 1968D, 1968J, 1969B,
1969P, 1970E, 1970F, 1970G, 1972B, 1972R, 1973C, 1973V, 1974C, 1974D,
1975E, 1975G, 1975T, 1976C, 1976M?, 1978B, 1978H, 1979B, 1980B, 1980D,
1980K, 1982W, 1983B, 1982X, 1983W, 1984B, 1984Q, 1987C, 1988L, 1988N,
1988R?, 1990??, 1991F, 1991G, 1991N, 1991Y?, 1992B, 1992F, 1992R, 1992ac,
1992aw, 1992bm. 1992bt, 1992bu, 1993G, 1993ai, 1994E, 1994G, 1994J, 1994P,
1995F, 1996bu, 1996bv, 1997Y, 1997bm, 1997ca, 1997cb, 1997cc, 1997ea,
1997ei.

+60

1950M, 1954J, 1954K, 1971M, 1972G, 1976N?, 1977C, 1982Y, 1985H, 1988J?,
1989P?, 1989X?, 1991ae, 1991an, 1991au, 1991aw, 1992aa, 1992av, 1993J,
1993ac, 1994A, 1994W, 1995J, 1995O, 1996bk, 1996bn, 1996by, 1997ch, 1997ci,
1997cj, 1997da, 1997di,.

+70

1972H, 1978F, 1985A, 1987M, 1989D, 1995E, 1995X, 1995ag, 1997E, 1997bq,
1997ct, 1997db,.

+80

1962Q, 1968V, 1968W, 1977E, 1982B, 1987L,1993X, 1996ah, 1997T, 1997cx.

The total breakdown of supernovae in the control declination bins are as
follows (Since 1885):

        +50     +60     +70     +80 -+90

          89       32       12            10

This yields a percentage ratio of:

62.2% of SNe occuring in the +50 dec. bin. (down 3.4% from 1996)
22.4% of SNe occuring in the +60 dec. bin. (up 0.8%)
 8.4% of SNe occuring in the +70 dec. bin. (up 2%)
 7.0% of SNe occuring in the +80-+90 dec. bin. (up .6%)

DISCUSSION:

The year 1997 was one of the most productive for SNe events discovered.
Some of the key players in the game were:

Supernova Cosmology Project- 47 events*
High Z SN Project- 39
Beijing Astronomical Observatory SN Initiative- 15
Mt Stromlo Abell Cluster SN Search Team- 14
Eros Project- 10
Masakatsu Aoki- 4
Jean Mueller- 4
Michael Swartz- 3 
UK Nova and SN Patrol- 2

(* To learn about research being conducted by this search project see:
ApJ.,_483_:565-581, July, 10, 1997, Perlmutter et. al, "Measurements of the
Cosmological Parameters From the First Seven SNe at z=>/_ 0.35"). It might
be worthy to mention here that the last 17 events of 1997 discovered by
this search team, were fainter than magnitude 20.0! This Project has
developed a technique "that allows discovery of high redshift SN Ia's in
groups of 10 or more 'batch' discoveries at one time. Follow-up
spectroscopy and photometry can then be conducted". Also see: Perlmutter in
"Thermonuclear Supernovae", ed. P. Ruiz-Lapuente, R. Canal, & J. Isern
(Dordrecht:Kluwer _749_, (1997), ApJ.,_440_,L41(1995), and IAUC #6270).

It might also be interesting to note that events from the +60-90 degrees
have increased somewhat during the past year. This author has championed
this area of study and proposes substantial event possibilities if a
concentrated and coordinated search initiative would be undertaken for this
area, and that once found, these events could be monitored for a longer
period of time and be more accessible to uninterrupted research, due to
their location. 

SOME THOUGHTS.......

*Monitor the target galaxies, at various windows of opportunity, at least
twice per month.

*Become familiar with the Galactic star field, so instant recognition of
any intruder star will become apparent.

*In programs involving CCD imaging devices....take "base images" to compare
with later monitorings of a particular galaxy.

*After careful scrutiny of a new suspect (checking for asteroids, variable
stars, HII regions, etc.) request confirmation of the suspect from the
International Supernovae Network:

(http://vsnet.queen.it/web4you/noprofit/isn/isn.htm)

and follow the guidelines presented by the Webmasters there to determine if
your suspect is a bonafide supernova. (NOTE: Dr. Michael Richmond has
provided a tool, with cooperation of the Central Bureau of Astronomical
Telegrams to help determine if an asteroid/s might be present near a galaxy
when a suspect supernova is sighted. The service can be found on Mr.
Richmond's Home Page [below in references]. Click on "List of Supernovae",
then click on "Tool for Checking for Minor Planets Near Suspected SN". Many
thanks to Dr. Richmond and especially to CBAT for providing this utility to
SN searchers).

*Although no figures are available on the negative observations that
occured in this area during the past three years (to indicate a SNe "hit
rate"), I would have to infer that the rate would be considerably improved
if more discipled visual/CCD searching in this area were undertaken. Good
luck and good Hunting.....


Steve H. Lucas (e-mail:76620.1721@compuserve.com)
December 31, 1997
(Completed) January 7, 1998
***************************************************************************
**
REFERENCES:

Shapley-Ames Catalog: (Carnegie Inst. of Washington, 1981)

Michael Richmond's Home Page:
(http://p674p06.isc.rit.edu/richmond/index.html))

Third Revised Catalog of Galaxies (RC3): Harold G. Corwin,[machine-readable
version](Cal Tech, Ca, 1991)

Megastar Sky Program: E.L.B. Software, 8910 Willow Meadow, Houston,TX.
77031(private correspondance)(current version).

Asiago Supernovae Catalog: [machine-readable version](Univ. of Padova,
Asiago, Italy, 1996)

Sternberg Master SNe List: [machine-readable version](Sternberg
Astronomical Institute, Moscow, Russia 1997)

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