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

奖项编号：ist - 0607737pi: Michael skrutski机构：弗吉尼亚大学主校区标题：活跃恒星形成星系中嵌入超新星的红外探测和光谱摘要大质量恒星是恒星爆发和相互作用星系的可能能量来源，因此应该是频繁超新星事件的宿主。然而，与预期相反，在这些星系中对超新星的调查已经确定了与在更正常和/或孤立的星系中观察到的超新星速率相当的速率。然而，这些调查的大部分也是在可见光波段进行的，在可见光波段，与恒星形成有关的尘埃遮挡和核通量的竞争可能导致观测者“错过”超新星。在这里，将在近红外波段（ks波段，2.17 m）实施超新星搜索计划，在那里尘埃的消光将大大减少，超新星本身将更亮。这项调查将在弗吉尼亚大学的范山天文台进行，使用31英寸的望远镜和夏威夷-1红外相机（由美国国家科学基金会主要研究仪器拨款开发）。50个计划星系，其中30个的红外光度超过2x1010lsun且在32mpc以内，20个最近的星系的红外光度超过1x1010lsun，将成为每月观测超新星的目标。探测到的超新星将被送入位于亚利桑那州霍普金斯山的PAIRITEL自动1.3米望远镜，同时进行J-， H-和k -波段成像，以确定光曲线。更亮的超新星也将触发阿帕奇点天文台3.5米望远镜上的triplespec近红外光谱仪的目标光谱观测。红外光谱和光曲线将根据环境的作用对超新星进行分类，这反过来又将使祖先种群得到表征。总体目标是更好地估计当地的超新星速率和更广泛地观察光谱特征，诊断包络结构和与周围介质的相互作用。这项工作将支持培训一名研究生，该研究生将负责TripleSpec委托后的科学项目，使用该学生也将领导的成像调查数据。该学生将深入参与TripleSpec的最终组装和测试以及在望远镜上的调试。来自弗吉尼亚大学的本科生将参与到范山天文台的数据采集中，希望在天文观测者之外培养新的仪器学家。

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.