![AAVSO How to [Observe Optical Counterparts of High Energy Astronomical Transients] @AAVSOHQ](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bQfXWKMjWkc/hqdefault.jpg)
Uploaded February 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Originally broadcast Feb. 5, 2022. In AAVSO's first How-to Hour of 2022, Heinz-Bernd Eggenstein leads us. He is an AAVSO observer and co-lead of AAVSO's High Energy Network Observing Section.
Heinz-Bernd focuses on discussing the observation of three of the most energetic and interesting phenomena in the universe: the Gamma-Ray-Burst (GRB) and its optical afterglow, the Binary Neutron Star (BNS) Merger resulting in a “kilonova,” and the Core-Collapse Supernova (and here specifically the next such event in our own galaxy).
At first glance, none of these three event classes seem to be well suited for the amateur astronomer because their first signals reaching us can only be seen by professional observatories: the Earth’s atmosphere shields us against gamma rays, so Gamma Ray Bursts are typically detected by satellites like FERMI and SWIFT. Binary Neutron Star Mergers so far can only be detected with high confidence by huge gravitational wave observatories. And, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the very first signal of the next galactic core collapse supernova will actually be a burst of neutrinos, minutes to hours before the optical supernova signal can be seen.
However, in all three cases, professional astronomers broadcast “alerts” of such events through channels that are now available to the public, some more well known than others. We discuss how amateurs can use these channels and join professional-amateur collaboration projects to make meaningful observations of these most fascinating events. While observing these transients remains challenging for various reasons, being prepared for “target of opportunity” observations should be a skill that can be rewarded by outstanding and important amateur observations.
Interested in AAVSO? visit aavso.org
Interested in our HEN observing section? aavso.org/aavso-international-high-energy-network
Originally broadcast Feb. 5, 2022. In AAVSO's first How-to Hour of 2022, Heinz-Bernd Eggenstein leads us. He is an AAVSO observer and co-lead of AAVSO's High Energy Network Observing Section.
Heinz-Bernd focuses on discussing the observation of three of the most energetic and interesting phenomena in the universe: the Gamma-Ray-Burst (GRB) and its optical afterglow, the Binary Neutron Star (BNS) Merger resulting in a “kilonova,” and the Core-Collapse Supernova (and here specifically the next such event in our own galaxy).
At first glance, none of these three event classes seem to be well suited for the amateur astronomer because their first signals reaching us can only be seen by professional observatories: the Earth’s atmosphere shields us against gamma rays, so Gamma Ray Bursts are typically detected by satellites like FERMI and SWIFT. Binary Neutron Star Mergers so far can only be detected with high confidence by huge gravitational wave observatories. And, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the very first signal of the next galactic core collapse supernova will actually be a burst of neutrinos, minutes to hours before the optical supernova signal can be seen.
However, in all three cases, professional astronomers broadcast “alerts” of such events through channels that are now available to the public, some more well known than others. We discuss how amateurs can use these channels and join professional-amateur collaboration projects to make meaningful observations of these most fascinating events. While observing these transients remains challenging for various reasons, being prepared for “target of opportunity” observations should be a skill that can be rewarded by outstanding and important amateur observations.
Interested in AAVSO? visit aavso.org
Interested in our HEN observing section? aavso.org/aavso-international-high-energy-network
![AAVSO How to [Observe Optical Counterparts of High Energy Astronomical Transients]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bQfXWKMjWkc/mqdefault.jpg "AAVSO How to [Observe Optical Counterparts of High Energy Astronomical Transients]
Originally broadcast Feb. 5, 2022. In AAVSOs first How-to Hour of 2022, Heinz-Bernd Eggenstein leads us. He is an AAVSO observer and co-lead of AAVSOs High Energy Network Observing Section.
Heinz-Bernd focuses on discussing the observation of three of the most energetic and interesting phenomena in the universe: the Gamma-Ray-Burst (GRB) and its optical afterglow, the Binary Neutron Star (BNS) Merger resulting in a “kilonova,” and the Core-Collapse Supernova (and here specifically the next such event in our own galaxy).
At first glance, none of these three event classes seem to be well suited for the amateur astronomer because their first signals reaching us can only be seen by professional observatories: the Earth’s atmosphere shields us against gamma rays, so Gamma Ray Bursts are typically detected by satellites like FERMI and SWIFT. Binary Neutron Star Mergers so far can only be detected with high confidence by huge gravitational wave observatories. And, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the very first signal of the next galactic core collapse supernova will actually be a burst of neutrinos, minutes to hours before the optical supernova signal can be seen.
However, in all three cases, professional astronomers broadcast “alerts” of such events through channels that are now available to the public, some more well known than others. We discuss how amateurs can use these channels and join professional-amateur collaboration projects to make meaningful observations of these most fascinating events. While observing these transients remains challenging for various reasons, being prepared for “target of opportunity” observations should be a skill that can be rewarded by outstanding and important amateur observations.
Interested in AAVSO? visit aavso.org
Interested in our HEN observing section? aavso.org/aavso-international-high-energy-network")
