C.R.O.S.S. means “Col druscič Remote Observatory Supernovae Search program”. The aim of this scientific program, carried out by the Cortina Astronomical Association, is the search for extragalactic supernovae. In the program participate the members of the Cortina Astronomical Association, that can use the “Ullrich” 50 cm telescope of the Col Druscič Observatory. The telescope, a robotic newtonian reflector, can be employed trough the facility remote control.
The research program plans the survey of 2500 and more galaxies, selected between the northern hemisphere more massive elliptical and spiral ones. The convenience of be able to employ the telescope from one's home pc provides a nonstop time continuity of the galaxy sampling, shut off only by bad climatic conditions. Due to this new technique it is possible to monitor 300 to 400 galaxies every observational session.
The potential discoverer of a supernova will be the owner of the discovery, which however will be signed as a part of the CROSS program. The discovery will be transmitted at the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (C.B.A.T.), in order to be published in the I.A.U.C., with both the discoverer name and the CROSS program one.
Since november 1999, when the CROSS program started, more than 60.000 galaxy observations have been performed, providing 25 supernovae official discoveries and three independent ones.
The first one officially registered in the CROSS name has been the SN1999gn in the host galaxy M61. That discovery has kicked up a great fuss on italian newspapers but also also all over the world, because it has been the first time that an amateur astronomer has discovered a supernova comfortably sat in his home sitting room, working from there the telescope many kilometers away. Afterwards it has been detected also a new minor planet (2000 BY3), later on called "Cortina d'Ampezzo". They have been discovered also two Novae in M31.
The members of the Cortina Astronomical Association are marked by a true friendship and faithful cooperation spirt. The CROSS program is carried out by the participants really with this thinking way.
