NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0164
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0164 |
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PI: Edo Berger, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, eberger@cfa.harvard.edu
Address: 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
CoI: Kathy Roth, Gemini Observatory - North
CoI: Christopher Stubbs, Harvard University
CoI: Alicia Soderberg, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
CoI: Gautham Narayan, Harvard University
CoI: Wen-fai Fong, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
CoI: Ryan Foley, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
CoI: Armin Rest, Harvard University
CoI: David Sand, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Title: Exotic Explosions and Eruptions: Exploring a New Transient Phase-Space with Pan-STARRS
Abstract:
For over a century two classes of optical transients have been studied in
detail - nova eruptions and supernova explosions, of which hundreds are
known. Both classes occupy narrow ranges of luminosities around -8 and -18
mag (+/-2 mag), respectively. However, in recent years several transients
have been discovered in the wide nova-SN gap and at high luminosity
(M<-20mag), suggesting that a large population of new transients remains to
be discovered. The origin of these events is hotly debated. They have been
argued to represent massive star eruptions, deficient white dwarf
thermonuclear explosions, the explosions of eta Carina-like stars, and
possibly new kinds of SN mechanisms (pair-instability). The Pan-STARRS
project, now in operation, provides an unprecedented opportunity to explore
this sparsely-sampled phase space thanks to its depth and areal coverage. As
members of the Pan-STARRS consortium we propose here TOO spectroscopy of such
events to classify and characterize their origin.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0164 |
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