Type Ia Supernovae in the Near Infrared - Clearing a Path through the Dust

近红外 Ia 型超新星——扫清尘埃之路

• 批准号: 1311862
• 负责人: William Wood-Vasey
• 金额: $ 50.06万
• 依托单位: University of Pittsburgh
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-09-01 至 2017-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1311862&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Type; Ia; Supernovae; Near; Infrared

Type Ia supernovae (SNeIa) have enjoyed a remarkable decade as the premiere tool for measuring cosmological distances in the Universe. But precision measurements of dark energy with SNeIa in rest-frame optical light are currently limited by systematic uncertainties stemming from an incomplete understanding of SNIa colors, dust, and host environments, as well as the calibration of astronomical measurements. Recent work has demonstrated that SNeIa are superior distance indicators in the near-infrared (NIR), with more standard peak H-band magnitudes, and a relative insensitivity to dust. This presents us with the timely opportunity to exploit NIR SNIa observations and new methods in SNIa cosmology to free SNeIa from their systematic shackles and fully exploit their potential in current and future dark energy missions. NIR observations to date have been largely limited to z 0.03 where distance measurements have suffered from significant peculiar velocity uncertainties. This project will support an approved 72-night three-year NOAO Survey on the WIYN 3.5-m telescope to observe 144 SNeIa in the NIR from 0.03 z 0.08.This NOAO Survey program focuses on SNeIa in the Hubble flow to obtain reliable NIR luminosities free from peculiar-velocity confusion and the uncertainties of dust. This effort includes a particular focus on accurate calibration incorporating recently demonstrated techniques for characterization of telescope systems and the Earth?s atmosphere. The results of this work will (1) extend the NIR Hubble diagram past currently available samples, (2) quantitatively demonstrate the degree to which SNeIa are robust standard candles in the NIR, (3) provide key insights about the color evolution and intrinsic properties of SNeIa and their host galaxies, and (4) establish a well-calibrated low-redshift anchor for future NIR supernova surveys from JWST, Euclid, and WFIRST/NEW.The research of this proposal will involve a strong undergraduate component to involve the next generation in active large astronomical research projects. This project will provide training and mentoring to a graduate student and postdoctoral researcher, who will in turn work with the undergraduates to enable them to make significant contributions to the success of the research and outreach missions of this proposal.The underlying theme of this proposal is using the variable sky to explore the cosmos. This theme will be shared with the public of all ages and backgrounds through public displays of the results. To communicate the new time-domain nature of astronomy this project will create portable sky projections and movies based on Pan-STARRS, SDSS, and WIYN supernova images in near real-time. These will involve both continuous unattended displays visible in public places as well as more targeted displays at specific public events with students and astronomers on-hand to directly engage with the public. An integration of cutting-edge astronomical surveys into the daily experience of citizens, particularly younger members, will spark a lifetime of interest across a diverse spectrum of the population. These efforts will be undertaken in partnership with the Pittsburgh Carnegie Science Museum to bring the dynamic sky to the public's eye.

Ia型超新星（SNeIa）作为测量宇宙距离的首要工具已经有了十年的时间。但是，在静止框架光学光中用SNIa精确测量暗能量目前受到系统不确定性的限制，这些不确定性来自对SNIa颜色，尘埃和宿主环境的不完全理解，以及天文测量的校准。最近的工作表明，SNeIa是近红外（NIR）中的上级距离指示器，具有更标准的H波段峰值幅度，并且对灰尘相对不敏感。这为我们提供了及时的机会，利用近红外SNIa观测和SNIa宇宙学中的新方法，将SNeIa从其系统性束缚中解放出来，并充分利用其在当前和未来暗能量任务中的潜力。到目前为止，近红外观测在很大程度上限于z 0.03，其中距离测量遭受了显着的特殊速度的不确定性。该项目将支持一项为期三年、为期72天的NOAO巡天计划，在WIYN 3.5米望远镜上对144个SNeIa进行近红外观测，观测范围为0.03 z 0.08。该NOAO巡天计划的重点是哈勃流中的SNeIa，以获得可靠的近红外光度，不受特殊速度混淆和尘埃不确定性的影响。这项工作包括一个特别的重点是准确的校准纳入最近演示的技术表征望远镜系统和地球？的大气层。这项工作的结果将（1）将近红外哈勃图扩展到目前可用的样本，（2）定量地证明SNeIa在近红外中是稳健的标准烛光的程度，（3）提供有关SNeIa及其宿主星系的颜色演化和内在性质的关键见解，以及（4）为未来的JWST，欧几里得，和WFIRST/NEW。这项建议的研究将涉及一个强大的本科组成部分，使下一代参与积极的大型天文学研究项目。该项目将为一名研究生和博士后研究员提供培训和指导，他们将与本科生一起工作，使他们能够为该提案的研究和外联任务的成功做出重大贡献。这一主题将通过公开展示结果与所有年龄和背景的公众分享。为了传达天文学的新时域性质，该项目将创建基于Pan-STARRS，SDSS和WIYN超新星图像的便携式天空投影和电影。这将涉及在公共场所可见的连续无人值守显示器，以及在特定的公共活动中与学生和天文学家直接接触的更有针对性的显示器。将尖端的天文观测融入公民，特别是年轻成员的日常生活，将激发不同人群的终身兴趣。这些努力将与匹兹堡卡内基科学博物馆合作进行，将动态天空带到公众的视线中。