NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0538
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0538 |
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PI: G. H. ``Howie" Marion, Texas A&M, hman@astro.as.utexas.edu
Address: Physics Department, 4242 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-4242, USA
CoI: Kevin Krisciunas, Texas A&M
CoI: Peter Garnavich, Notre Dame University
CoI: Ryan Foley, Center for Astrophysics
CoI: Ori Fox, University of Virginia
Title: Late Time Near-Infrared Spectra from Type Ia Supernovae
Abstract:
We propose to use the Hale Telescope with TripleSpec to obtain NIR
spectra from Type Ia Supernovae (SNe Ia) at epochs up to ten weeks later
than is possible with most other telescopes. These observations will be
coordinated with NIR photometry conducted by PAIRITEL. SNe Ia are
superior standard candles in the NIR than they are at optical
wavelengths, but unexplained dispersion in the measured brightness of
individual events remains a significant obstacle to improvements in the
use of SNe Ia for cosmology. Low numbers of both NIR spectra and light
curves make it difficult to correlate NIR spectral behavior with the
observed dispersion in brightness and this problem is acute for data
obtained later than 30 days post-maximum. The proposed observations
will permit comparisons of the evolution of NIR spectral features to NIR
light curves between 30 and 90 days after maximum. Improvements in
supernova based cosmology depend on our ability to explain the
dispersion.
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-0538 |
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