Observations and Theory of Supernovae

这个项目涉及与超新星研究相关的广泛的理论和观察子项目。核心工作是更好地理解Ia型超新星及其作为标准宇宙距离指示器的用途。这涉及到系统地研究超新星的光谱偏振特性、偏振的普遍程度及其与爆炸事件中不对称性的可能关系。该合作者团队正在开发超新星不对称膨胀包层的偏振光谱的计算机模型。这些模型与该小组在麦克唐纳天文台收集的偏振光谱观测结果相匹配。这一努力将大量使用霍比-埃伯利望远镜。在一项相关工作中，将继续努力从理论上理解热核“燃烧”过程，以区分已探测到大红移的所谓“暗淡”Ia型超新星。

ABSTRACTWheeler, CraigAST-9818960This project involves a wide variety of theoretical and observational subprojects related to the study of supernovae. The core effort is to better understand Type Ia supernovae and their use as standard cosmological distance indicators. This involves a systematic study of the spectropolarimetric properties of supernovae and the prevalence of polarization and its possible relationship to asymmetry in the explosion event. The team of collaborators is developing computer models for the polarization spectra of asymmetrical expanding envelopes of supernovae. These models are matched to the spectropolarimetric observations the group collects at McDonald Observatory. This effort will make heavy use of the Hobby-Eberle Telescope. In a related effort, work will continue towards achieving a theoretical understanding of the thermonuclear 'combustion' processes distinguishing the so-called "dim" Type Ia supernovae that have been detected at large redshifts.