band a search for transiting planets in the Orion star formation region. coordinated observations with the GALEX spacecraft, including a survey of the Kepler region coordinated observations with the EVLA, including a survey of SDSS Stripe 82 Transient detection Data taken with the camera were transferred to two automated reduction pipelines. A near-realtime image subtraction pipeline was run at LBNL and had the goal of identifying optical transients within minutes of images being taken. The output of this pipeline was sent to UC Berkeley where a source classifier determined a set of probabilistic statements about the scientific classification of the transients based on all available time-series and context data. On few-day timescales the images were also ingested into a database at IPAC. Each incoming frame was calibrated and searched for objects (constant and variable), before the detections were merged into a database. Lightcurves of approximately 500 million objects had been accumulated. This database was planned to be made public after an 18-month proprietary period, subject to available resources. The Palomar Observatory 60-inch photometric follow-up telescope automatically generated colors and lightcurves for interesting transients detected using the Samuel Oschin Telescope. The PTF collaboration also used a further 15 telescopes for photometric and spectroscopic followup. Near-Earth object observation PTF uses software written to assist a human in weeding out false positives when searching for small near-Earth objects. Bibliography 2009 N. Law et al., PASP, 121, 1395:"The Palomar Transient Factory: System Overview, Performance, and First Results" — This paper summarizes the PTF project, including several months of on-sky performance tests of the new survey camera, the observing plans, and the data reduction strategy. It also includes details for the first 51 PTF optical transient detections, found in commissioning data. A. Rau et al., PASP, 121, 1334: "Exploring the Optical Transient Sky with the Palomar Transient Factory" — In this article, the scientific motivation for PTF is presented and a description of the goals and expectations is provided. 2008 G. Rahmer et al., SPIE, 7014, 163: "The 12K×8K CCD mosaic camera for the Palomar Transient Factory" — This paper discusses the modifications to the CFHT 12K CCD camera, improved readout, new filter exchange mechanism, and the field flattener needed to correct for focal plane curvature. See also Zooniverse — Galaxy Zoo Supernovae List of near-Earth object observation projects References External links Intermediate Palomar Transient Factory 2008 in California 2008 in science Astronomical surveys California