Studies of Supernovae and Supernovae Remnants

超新星是已知的能量最高的恒星爆炸，能够以每秒数千公里的速度将物质喷射到它们的环境中。喷出的物质以超音速膨胀，压缩星际气体，并用母星合成的重元素丰富它。首席研究员(PI)建议继续他之前由美国国家科学基金会资助的关于超新星和超新星遗迹的观测研究。他将使用国家光学天文台(NOAO)和其他天文台可用的新一代固态成像仪和光谱仪。特别是，PI将研究导致超新星爆炸的大质量恒星演化中的事件，以及这种爆炸对我们和其他附近星系的星际介质的影响。超新星的频率和释放的能量、超新星喷出物的膨胀速度、星系的化学演化和恒星形成的频率等问题都将被寻求答案。将特别注意1987年2月在大麦哲伦星云中观测到的超新星1987A的爆炸。超新星的模型大气和亮度观测将被用来测量到附近星系的距离。

Supernovae are the most energetic stellar explosions known, capable of ejecting matter at thousands of kilometers per second into their environment. The ejected matter expands with supersonic speed, compresses interstellar gas, and enriches it with heavy elements that was synthesized by the parent star. The Principal Investigator (PI) proposes to continue with his observational research, previously funded by NSF, on supernovae and supernova remnants. He will be using the new generation of solid-state imagers and spectrometers available at the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) and at other observatories. In particular, the PI will study the events in the evolution of massive stars that lead up to supernova explosions and the effects such explosions have on the interstellar medium in our and other nearby galaxies. Answers will be sought to such issues as the frequency of and energy released by supernovae, the rate of expansion of supernova ejecta, the chemical evolution of galaxies, and the frequency of star formation. Special attention will be accorded to Supernova 1987A, whose explosion was observed in February 1987 in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Model atmospheres and brightness observations of supernovae will be used to measure distances to nearby galaxies.