NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0546
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0546 |
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PI: Maryam Modjaz, Columbia University, mmodjaz@columbia.astro.edu
Address: Columbia Astrophysics Laboratory, 550 West 120th Street, Mail Code 5247, NYC, NY 10027, United States
CoI: Avishay Gal-Yam, Weizmann Institute of Science
CoI: Iair Arcavi, Weizmann Institute of Science
Title: Host Galaxy Spectra of Stripped SN from the Palomar Transient Factory: SN Progenitor Diagnostics and the SN-GRB Connection
Abstract:
Stripped core-collapse supernovae (Stripped SN) are powerful cosmic
engines that energize and enrich the ISM and that sometimes accompany
GRBs, but the exact mass and metallicity range of their massive
progenitors is not known, nor the detailed physics of the explosion.
With the harvest of 50 stripped SN from the innovative survey Palomar
Transient Factory, we propose to conduct the first uniform and
statistically significant study with SN from the same homogeneous and
galaxy-unbiased survey in order to determine the environmental
conditions that influence the various kinds of massive stellar deaths.
By obtaining spectra of the immediate host environments of our sample of
stripped SN, we will (1) measure local abundances in order to
differentiate between the two progenitor scenarios for stripped SN and
(2) derive stellar population ages, masses and star formation histories
via detailed stellar population synthesis models. Moreover, we will
test if natal chemical abundance has effects on basic SN
characteristics, such as peak luminosity. Any observed trends will have
ramifications on SN and GRB explosion models and imply important
demographic SN considerations. Our dataset will provide a crucial
complimentary set to host galaxy studies of long-duration GRBs and pave
the way for host studies of transients and SN found via upcoming surveys
such as LSST.
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-0546 |
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