NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0200
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0200 |
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PI: Mark Sullivan, University of Oxford, sullivan@astro.ox.ac.uk
Address: Department of Physics, Astrophysics, Nuclear and Astrophysics Laboratory, Keble Road, Oxford, OX1 3RH, United Kingdom
CoI: D. Andrew Howell, Las Cumbres Observatory / UC Santa Barbara
CoI: Peter Nugent, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
CoI: Isobel Hook, University of Oxford
CoI: Sarah Blake, University of Oxford
Title: The Host Galaxies of Local PTF Type Ia Supernovae
Abstract:
The recent discovery of correlations between Type Ia Supernova (SN Ia) peak
luminosity and the parameters defining their host galaxy stellar populations
has important implications for their use as standardised candles. Using new
samples of low-redshift SNe Ia located with the Palomar Transient Factory
(PTF), a rolling transient search in the local universe, we propose a
comprehensive campaign to study in detail the host galaxies in which SNe Ia
explode. We aim to establish which physical variable (metallicity or age)
primarily drives the SN Ia luminosity variations using high signal-to-noise
spectroscopy of their environments. These data will also improve the
derivation of SN Ia "delay-time" distributions, and place tighter constraints
on the nature of their progenitor systems. Evolution in SN Ia properties is
now the largest single systematic in SN Ia cosmology, and detailed study of
their environments provides a realistic opportunity to improve their use for
studying dark energy.
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 > 2010B-0200 |
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