NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0362
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0362 |
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PI: D. Andrew Howell, Las Cumbres Observatory / University of California Santa Barbara, ahowell@lcogt.net
Address: 6740 Cortona Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93111, USA
CoI: Mark Sullivan, Oxford University
CoI: Peter Nugent, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
CoI: Richard Ellis, Caltech
CoI: Avishay Gal-Yam, Weizmann Institute
CoI: Jeff Cooke, Caltech Astronomy
CoI: Isobel Hook, Oxford University
CoI: Ben Dilday, Las Cumberes Observatory / University of California Santa Barbara
CoI: Kate Maguire, Oxford University
CoI: Emma Walker, SNS Pisa
Title: Optical and UV Spectroscopy of SNe Ia as Probes of Progenitors an Metallicity
Abstract:
A major obstacle in the use of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) as standard
candles has been discovered this year: even *after correction* for lightcurve
shape and color, SNe Ia in high and low-mass galaxies have absolute
magnitudes differing by 0.08 +/- 0.02 mag. The reason remains mysterious,
exacerbated by the fact that we do not understand the progenitors of SNe Ia,
but the galaxy mass-metallicity relation fingers the metallicity of the
exploding white dwarf as the prime suspect. Unfortunately, the metallicity of
the progenitor is best probed by studying early time UV features of the
supernova, and their evolution to maximum light, which has been, until now,
impossible. However, we have recently been granted an unprecedented Cycle 18
HST STIS ToO program (the number of ToOs allowed per year was increased in
light of our proposal) to perform the pioneering study of early UV behavior.
This will probe not only the SN metallicity, but the density structures in
the outer layers, expected to discriminate between progenitor models. With
queue scheduling of the ever-present GMOS, Gemini is essential to the success
of this effort, providing the necessary time-critical screening and
simultaneous ground-based optical spectra.
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-0362 |
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