The Explosion Geometry of Red Supergiant Stars

这个项目将探索II-P型（“高原”）超新星爆炸的机制。它们是由孤立的红超巨星产生的，它们的初始质量是太阳质量的8到16倍。目前关于这些事件的有限数量的数据表明，这种机制产生强烈的非球形爆炸。伦纳德博士将对II-P型超新星的偏振光进行新的观测，并重新分析早期事件的数据。他和合作者还将把这些数据与专门为这类超新星开发的理论模型进行比较，目的是确定所有II-P型事件中红超巨星的爆炸几何形状是否相同，并发现这种几何形状是什么。该结果将为大质量恒星序列低端的恒星爆炸模型提供关键的判别。该项目将包括培训研究生和本科生获取、分析和发表科学数据。为了提供对光谱偏振计计划成功至关重要的光曲线信息，PI将通过启动一个由学生主导的超新星光学和近红外光度研究项目，利用他所在部门新升级的拉古纳山天文台设施的研究能力。

This project will explore the mechanisms responsible for supernova explosions of the Type II-P ("plateau") type. These arise from isolated red supergiant stars with initial masses ranging from 8 to 16 times the mass of the Sun. Current data on a limited number of these events suggest that the mechanism produces strongly non-spherical explosions. Dr. Leonard will conduct new observations of polarized light from type II-P supernovae and will re-analyze data from earlier events. He and collaborators will also compare the data against theoretical models developed specifically for this type of supernova, with the goal of determining whether the explosion geometry of red supergiants is the same for all Type II-P events and to discover what that geometry is. The result will form a key discriminant for stellar explosion models at the lower end of the high-mass star sequence.The project will involve training graduate and undergraduate students in the acquisition, analysis, and publication of scientific data. To provide light curve information critical to the success of the spectropolarimetry program, the PI will exploit the research capabilities of his department's newly upgraded Mount Laguna Observatory facility by initiating a student-led program of optical and near-infrared photometric studies of supernovae.