Abstract:

Popular Supernova Project (PSP) is an open science project for the general public to search supernova through the Internet. Designed and created by Xingming Observatory and Chinese Virtual Observatory (China-VO), the PSP provides a platform for all the people around the world to make real astronomical discoveries. General public, no matter where they are, who they are, can easily use the system which is running on the platform of the China-VO. Every night when weather condition allows, the Xingming Observatory runs a quick sky survey in Xinjiang, China, and transfers all the images to the server of China-VO in Beijing. After some processing, the images will be released to the public for supernova search. Only basic computer skills and a little astronomy knowledge are needed to join the project. With proper design and simple guidance documents, over 10,000 people have registered online and about 40% of them have already passed a simple test which means they can participate the supernova search. Over a thousand users actually studied the images on PSP and submitted suspect object at least once. On Oct. 3, 2015, a 10-year-old student discovered a supernova candidate on PSP. Later on Oct. 4th, the object was successfully confirmed by professional astronomer as a IIP supernova. PSP provides a new way and citizen sciences of public education, which effectively combine web technologies and astronomical learning together.

Keywords:

Astronomy, PSP, Xingming Observatory, China-VO, supernova.