Real Time Classification of Transient Events in Synoptic Sky Surveys

Abstract

An automated, rapid classification of transient events detected in the modern synoptic sky surveys is essential for their scientific utility and effective follow-up using scarce resources. This problem will grow by orders of magnitude with the next generation of surveys. We are exploring a variety of novel automated classification techniques, mostly Bayesian, to respond to these challenges, using the ongoing CRTS sky survey as a testbed. We describe briefly some of the methods used.

3 pages, to appear in Proc. IAU 285, "New Horizons in Transient Astronomy", Oxford, Sept. 2011