Hubble Space Telescope image of supernova 1994D in galaxy NGC 4526. Credit: NASA/ESA, The Hubble Key Project Team and The High-Z Supernova Search Team

We use the ATLAS telescope (which maps the entire visible sky to r~19.5 every 1-2 days, famous for also finding interstellar asteroids and bright comets) to select a complete sample of supernovae in the nearby universe and study their properties. This year, we will augment this sample with data from the Vera Rubin telescope whose sensitivity will ensure completeness of the sample. Using the ANU2.3m, SkyMapper, ATLAS/Rubin, as well as data from overseas collaborators, we then follow-up with detailed multi-wavelength observations of each object.  With this sample and working with collaborators to use the most up-to date theoretical models of our understanding of massive stars and their explosive ends, we will make the concrete steps towards connecting the nature of supernova explosions to their progenitor stars. There are a wide range of projects to work on as part of this project from UG research projects to a Masters thesis.