NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0224
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0224 |
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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
CoI: Kate Maguire, University of Oxford
CoI: Yen-Chen Pan, University of Oxford
Title: The Host Galaxies of Local PTF Type Ia Supernovae
Abstract:
The 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 to
continue our 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, with host
galaxies playing a critical role in cosmological studies, 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 > 2011A-0224 |
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