NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2001B-0267
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2001B-0267 |
|
PI: Peter Garnavich, University of Notre Dame, pgarnavi@nd.edu
Address: 225 Nieuwland Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
CoI: Stephen Holland, University of Notre Dame
CoI: Brian Schmidt, MSSSO
Title: Testing Cosmic Acceleration
Abstract: The peak brightness measurements of Type Ia supernovae indicate that the Hubble expansion is in acceleration and has somehow overcome the expected deceleration due to gravity. Even though it fits nicely with the predictions from the theoretical cosmologists' favorite flat universe, this rather extraordinary claim needs rigorous observational testing . The chief alternative explanations are intergalactic dust absorption and intrinsic changes in the luminosity of distant supernovae due to evolutionary effects. This semester we are proposing to test the accelerating universe model by discovering and studying SN Ia at redshifts between 0.9 and 1.1. In this range the transition from matter domination to acceleration provides a unique signature which is difficult to mimic with dust or supernova evolution. This proposal asks for WIYN time to obtain follow-up photometry of the SN Ia discovered, allowing us to tie our HST photometry to ground-based observations, as well as to obtain lights curves of SN Ia which will not be observed by HST.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2001B-0267 |
|