They were hunting for signs of massive stellar death explosions known as supernovae.
Supernovas tend to occur when an aging red giant star has expended the last of its nuclear fuel.
Because the star cant sustain itself any longer, it collapses before exploding in a massive burst of energy.
Gravity causes the core to collapse, creating a shockwave that reverberates outwards into space.
This is in keeping with Keplers mission to find life outside the solar system.
All heavy elements in the universe come from supernova explosions.
Life exists because of supernovae.
source: www.techworm.net
