On July 1, 2025, the citizen science project 'Kilonova Seekers,' in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth and the University of Warwick, announced the discovery of a new cataclysmic variable star, named GOTO0650.
The discovery was made possible by over 3,500 citizen scientists who analyzed data from the GOTO telescopes located in La Palma, Canary Islands, and the Siding Spring Observatory in Australia. GOTO0650 experienced a 2,500-fold increase in brightness compared to an image taken two days prior, allowing for its early study and classification.
This finding highlights the importance of citizen science in identifying and tracking astronomical phenomena. The discovery was published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, underscoring the significance of collaboration between professional scientists and the community in astronomical research.