Record Number of Citizen Scientists Captivated by Super-Close Supernova

The closest supernova to Earth in the last decade, designated (SN) 2023ixf, has captivated a record number of citizen scientists participating in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute's Cosmic Cataclysms program. Amateur astronomers from around the world collected data on the supernova, located in the Pinwheel Galaxy, to better understand Type II supernovas. The effort involved 123 dedicated amateur astronomers making 252 observations with 115 telescopes, allowing scientists to build a profile of the supernova's brightness over time. The program will receive a boost next year when the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile begins operations.