Chasing Supernovae with Kepler

Explore the fascinating world of supernovae detection through a captivating lecture by Gautham Narayan of the Space Telescope Science Institute. Discover how the Kepler spacecraft, originally designed for exoplanet discovery, was repurposed in the K2 mission to hunt for exploding stars. Learn about the critical first few hours of a supernova and how precise brightness measurements contribute to our understanding of these colossal cosmic events. Delve into topics such as gravitational lensing, different types of supernovae, and the impact of supernovae on Earth. Gain insights into the Kepler mission's evolution, including the K2 phase after wheel failure, and the subsequent campaigns that led to significant supernova discoveries. This hour-long talk, recorded live at the Space Telescope Science Institute, offers a comprehensive look at the intersection of space technology and astrophysical phenomena, concluding with an engaging question-and-answer session.