BY KIRK STARRATT
Kings County Advertiser/Register
Her friends think her discovery is “so cool,” and she’s “kind of” enjoying all the attention and publicity she’s receiving.
Ten-year-old Kathryn Gray of New Brunswick, who has a family connection to Kentville through her grandmother, Cathy MacKenzie, who some readers will recognize from the Kings County Museum; became the youngest person to ever discover a supernova in January. She is the Honourary Parade Marshall for the 79th Apple Blossom Festival’s Grand Street Parade May 28.
Gray, a Grade 5 student, discovered a magnitude 17 supernova. What do her friends think of Gray’s newfound fame?
“They thought it was so cool,” she said. Is she excited to be leading the parade?
“Yes.”
It took her about 20 minutes of searching to make her major discovery. Dubbed Supernova 2010lt, it was discovered in the galaxy UGC3378, approximately 240 million light years away, in the constellation Camelopardalis.
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Gray’s father, Paul, says Kathryn came by her interest on her own ,but it was a result of exposure to astronomy. Every year, the family goes camping and participates in “star parties” with fellow astronomers.
“Kathryn has been going to these since she was a year old and so, naturally, grew up knowing the night sky as it looks from dark sites of rural campgrounds,” he says. “Like most children, they ask questions and see the awe in the sky.”
Over a period from 1995 to 2007, Paul discovered six supernovae. He said it’s an amazing experience to see Kathryn’s excitement.
Additional honourary parade marshals have been added to the roster as of May 27, including Jason Priestley and Sheri Elwood of locally produced television show Call Me Fitz and Emily Rose of Haven, a South Shore TV production.
kstarratt@kentvilleadvertiser.ca
