# Postdoctoral Fellowship: AAPF: A Complete Census of Galactic Novae with LSST: Rates and Properties Across the Milky Way

> **NSF 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Craig, Peter (MI) · $330,000

## Abstract

Peter Craig is awarded an NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Fellowship to carry out a program of research and education at Michigan State University. Craig will use observational data from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) to measure the rate of Galactic Novae. Craig will also investigate how the properties of the novae change with their position throughout the Galaxy. The project will include working with small teams of amateur observers through the American  Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) to generate training materials for future teams of observers. 

It is thought that there is a substantial population of Galactic novae that are hidden in the highly extinguished regions of the Galaxy. Previous datasets have led to significant uncertainty in the rate of novae in the Galaxy. Fortunately, LSST’s high visit depth will allow for access to more of these novae than ever before. Craig will use this timely dataset to finally measure the rate with much higher accuracy. This will lead to critical improvements in measuring the Galactic lithium production and it will inform binary population synthesis models. Further, it is relevant for understanding novae as possible Type Ia supernova progenitors. This research award is partially funded by a generous gift from Charles Simonyi to the U.S. NSF Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences Section of Astronomical Sciences. The project includes significant contributions to Vera C. R

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2602584
- **Awardee organization:** Craig, Peter (MI)
- **PI:** Peter Craig
- **Primary program:** 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY
- **Estimated total:** $330,000
- **Funds obligated:** $330,000
- **Transaction type:** Fellowship Award
- **Period:** 09/01/2026 → 08/31/2029

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2602584

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2602584, Postdoctoral Fellowship: AAPF: A Complete Census of Galactic Novae with LSST: Rates and Properties Across the Milky Way. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2602584. Licensed CC0.

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