Transient Name Server

The Transient Name Server (TNS) is an online clearinghouse for discoveries and data on transients, primarily optical transients, such as supernovae. 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 (SN). 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, the year and the suffix indicating the order of discovery remaining the same as before. The Transient Name Server has been adopted for use with some non-optical transients, in particular, GW detections and fast radio bursts.