Infrared Detection and Spectroscopy of Embedded Supernovae in Actively Star Forming Galaxies

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AWARD NO: AST-0607737PI: Michael SkrutskieINSTITUTION: University of Virginia Main CampusTITLE: Infrared Detection and Spectroscopy of EmbeddedSupernovae in Actively Star Forming GalaxiesABSTRACTMassive stars are the likely energy sources powering starburst and interacting galaxieswhich therefore should be hosts to frequent supernova events. Yet, contrary toexpectations, surveys for supernovae among such galaxies have established rates whichare comparable to supernovae rates observed in more normal and/or isolated galaxies.However, the bulk of these surveys are also conducted at visible wavelengths whereobscuration by dust associated with star formation and competition from nuclear fluxmay result in observers "missing" supernovae. Here a supernova search program will beimplemented in the near infrared (Ks-band, 2.17 m) where the extinction by dust will besignificantly reduced and the supernovae themselves will be brighter. The survey will becarried out at the University of Virginia's Fan Mountain Observatory using the 31-inchtelescope and HAWAII-1 infrared camera (developed through an NSF Major ResearchInstrumentation grant). Fifty program galaxies, 30 with infrared luminosities in excess of 2x 1010LSun and within 32 Mpc, and 20 of the nearest galaxies more luminous than 1 x1010LSun, will be targeted and observed monthly for supernovae. Detected supernovaewill be fed to the PAIRITEL automated 1.3-meter telescope at Mt. Hopkins, AZ forsimultaneous J-, H-, and Ks-band imaging to determine light curves. Brighter supernovaewill also trigger target-of-opportunity spectroscopic observations with the TripleSpecnear-infrared spectrograph at the Apache Point Observatory 3.5-meter telescope. Theinfrared spectra and light curves will allow the classification of the supernovae as afunction of environment, which will in turn allow the progenitor populations to becharacterized. The overall goals are a better estimate of the local supernovae rate andmore extensive observations of spectroscopic signatures diagnostic of envelope structureand interaction with the surrounding medium.This work will support the training of a graduate student who will be responsible for thepost-commissioning science program with TripleSpec using data from the imagingsurvey which the student will also lead. This student will be deeply integrated into thefinal assembly and testing of TripleSpec and its commissioning at the telescope.Undergraduates from the University of Virginia will take part in the acquisition of data atthe Fan Mountain Observatory with hope of cultivating new instrumentalists in additionto astronomical observers.