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February 16, 1999
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Tenagra
Observatories Discover Tenth Supernova
Latest
discoveries made using a Paramount GT-1100 over
the Internet
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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| GOLDEN,
CO—On
February 8, the International Astronomical Union
(IAU) confirmed the discovery of Supernova 1999Z
by amateur astronomer Michael Schwartz, the
director of Tenagra Observatories. This is his
tenth supernova discovery since July 12, 1997.
What makes his most recent three findings unique
is that the data leading to the discoveries was
acquired using an automated and unattended
Paramount GT-1100 over the Internet. Michael, who
resides in Oregon, nightly submits lists of
galaxies to image at the Winer Mobile Observatory
in Sonoita, Arizona. The data is then transferred
back to Oregon and compared with the Digitized Sky
Survey for new objects.
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Tenagra
is able to acquire up to 45 images per hour (up to
7,000 per month) using scripting software provided
with the Paramount GT-1100. "We believe that
we now have the very first remotely accessible,
automated supernova patrol system whose software
and hardware are 100 percent off-the-shelf.
Software Bisque has done an incredible job
integrating CCD camera control, telescope pointing
and Internet software," says Mr. Schwartz.
Tenagra
Observatories is a privately owned concern with
facilities in Oregon and Arizona. Principle areas
of research are supernova patrol and analysis,
minor planet discovery and time series studies of
variable stars. Software Bisque creates
astronomy-related software and hardware products
for the astronomical community.
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Golden-based Software Bisque is considered by many in the field to be the leading astronomy software developer in the industry. Its flagship software product, TheSky, has gained a well-earned reputation as the most sophisticated, elegant, yet easy-to-use planetarium and telescope-control program. Software Bisque has developed several extensions for TheSky, including CCDSoft, Orchestrate, and TPoint (bundled as the Professional Astronomy Software Suite, a standard feature with every Paramount GT-1100 ).
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Discoveries by Tenagra Observatories
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1999cf—May 22, UGC 8539
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1999cc—May 8, NGC 6038
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1999cb—May 8, MARKARIAN 881
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1999bv—April 19, MCG +10-25-14
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1999ab—February 8, Anonymous
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1999Z—February 8, UGC 5608
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1999X—January 23, CGCG 180-22
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1999B—January 14, UGC 7189
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1998di—August 3, Anonymous
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1998ct—June 30, UGC 10062
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1998cp—June 22, MCG +9-21-11
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1998cn—June 16, NGC 3735
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1998cl—June 3, MARKARIAN 261
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1997db—August 2, UGC 11861
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1997da—July 31, IC 1216
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1997cx—July 12, NGC 3057
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Contacts:
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