Transient Name Server

The Transient Name Server (TNS) is an online clearinghouse for discoveries and data on transients. Astronomers can upload information about their discoveries and can get up-to-date information about transients for further study, e.g., to confirm whether one is a supernova. Reported transients are initially given an identifier similar to a supernova identifier but using the prefix AT (for astronomical transient) rather than SN, but similarly followed by the year and further suffixes. When the type of transient is identified, a prefix indicating the type of transient (e.g., "SN") is adopted.