NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2012A-0345
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2012A-0345 |
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PI: Maryam Modjaz, New York University, mmodjaz@nyu.edu
Address: Physics Department, 4, Washington Place, NYC, NY 10003, 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 SNe) 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. We propose to \textbfcontinue conducting the first uniform and statistically significant study of host galaxies of 60 stripped SNe from the same innovative, homogeneous and galaxy-unbiased survey Palomar Transient Factory 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 > 2012A-0345 |
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