NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011B-0259
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011B-0259 |
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PI: Edo Berger, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, eberger@cfa.harvard.edu
Address: 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
CoI: Kathy Roth, Gemini Observatory - North
CoI: Alicia Soderberg, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
CoI: Gautham Narayan, Harvard University
CoI: Ian Czekala, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
CoI: Nathan Sanders, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
CoI: Christopher Stubbs, Harvard University
CoI: Ryan Chornock, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
CoI: Ryan Foley, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
CoI: Armin Rest, Space Telescope Science Institute
Title: Exotic Explosions and Eruptions: Exploring a New Transient Phase-Space with Pan-STARRS
Abstract:
For over a century two classes of optical transients - nova eruptions and
supernova explosions - have been studied in great detail. These two classes
occupy narrow ranges of absolute magnitudes, around -8 and -18 mag (+/-2 mag)
respectively. However, in recent years several transients have been
discovered in the wide nova-SN gap and at very high luminosity (<-20 mag),
suggesting that new classes of optical transients remain to be discovered.
The origin of these events is hotly debated: they are argued to represent
massive star eruptions, deficient white dwarf thermonuclear explosions, eta
Carina-like ejections, and possibly new SN mechanisms (electron-capture,
fallback, pair-instability). The Pan-STARRS project provides an unprecedented
opportunity to explore this sparsely-sampled phase-space thanks to its
unmatched depth and areal coverage. Here we propose to continue our
successful TOO spectroscopy of Pan-STARRS transients in the nova-SN gap and
at high luminosity to classify and characterize their origin for the first
time. Our Gemini program recently led to the discovery of the most luminous
SN-like event to date (z=1.4 with a peak of -24 mag!), as well as other high-
and intermediate-luminosity events. Pan-STARRS will continue to discover many
such transients and Gemini spectroscopy will determine their origin.
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 > 2011B-0259 |
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