NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013B-0309
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013B-0309 |
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PI: David Sand, Texas Tech University, david.sand@ttu.edu
Address: Department of Physics, Box 41051, Lubbock, TX, 79409-1051, USA
CoI: Jerod Parrent, LCOGT/Dartmouth College
CoI: Andy Howell, LCOGT/UC Santa Barbara
CoI: Melissa Graham, LCOGT/UC Santa Barbara
CoI: Stefano Valenti, LCOGT/UC Santa Barbara
Title: Constraining Type Ia Supernova Physics with Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
Abstract:
Despite their success as standardizable candles, relatively little is known
about the exact progenitor(s) and explosion physics of type Ia supernovae --
a potential source of systematic uncertainty for future dark energy surveys,
and a hole in our knowledge about stellar end-states. One promising route
forward is the combination of dense optical time series and near-infrared
(NIR) spectroscopic data sets. Recent work has suggested that the NIR can
discern unburned carbon from the progenitor white dwarf more cleanly than in
the optical, and its unique access to relatively unblended magnesium lines
also probes the inner edge of carbon burning. Both measures provide a direct
constraint for SN Ia explosion models, but only a handful of appropriate NIR
spectroscopic time series exist. We propose to roughly double the sample of
SN Ia with such data (leveraging our access to a worldwide network of 1m
imaging telescopes and twin robotic optical spectrographs) in order to begin
to tackle our understanding of NIR spectral diagnostics and how they vary
from supernova to supernova.
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 > 2013B-0309 |
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