Telescopes are essential for astronomy, but you don't need one of your own. A computer can be the right instrument. Big telescopes collect data faster than professionals can process it, so amateurs can help. There is also room for individual ingenuity. See what some young astronomers have done.

Young Astronomers at Work

Kathryn Aurora Gray was the youngest ever discoverer of a supernova - until her younger brother discovered one! Here is a picture of Kathryn meeting some well known astronauts.

Young astronomers at work tells a bit about the Gray family. Including 10-year-old Nathan's discovery. It has since been confirmed, so he has overturned his sister's record as the youngest discoverer of a supernova.

Until there was a confirmation by getting a spectrum from a large telescope, Nathan's discovery had to remain officially a “supernova candidate”. However Lina Tomasella and Leonardo Tartaglia of the Padova-Asiago Supernova Group have since provided the confirmation. And it's been given the provisional designation of Type II-peculiar. (I can't honestly say I've ever come across one of those before!)