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

Ia型超新星(SneIa)作为测量宇宙中宇宙距离的主要工具，已经经历了不平凡的十年。但是，目前利用静止框架光学光中的SNeIa对暗能量的精确测量受到系统不确定性的限制，这些系统不确定性源于对SNIa颜色、尘埃和宿主环境的不完全了解，以及天文测量的校准。最近的工作表明，SNeIa在近红外(NIR)中是更好的距离指示器，具有更标准的H波段峰值，并且对尘埃相对不敏感。这为我们提供了及时利用近红外SNIa观测和SNIa宇宙学新方法的机会，将SneIa从系统的束缚中解放出来，并在当前和未来的暗能量任务中充分开发其潜力。到目前为止，近红外观测在很大程度上局限于z 0.03，在这种情况下，距离测量受到了显著的特殊速度不确定性的影响。该项目将支持在WIYN 3.5米望远镜上进行的为期72晚的为期三年的NOAO调查，从0.03 z 0.08开始观测近红外中的144个SneIa。该NOAO调查计划重点关注哈勃气流中的SneIa，以获得可靠的近红外光度，而不存在特殊速度混乱和尘埃的不确定性。这项工作包括对精确校准的特别关注，结合了最近展示的望远镜系统和地球-S大气的表征技术。这项工作的结果将(1)扩展近红外哈勃图超过现有的样本，(2)定量地证明SneIa在近红外中是健壮的标准蜡烛的程度，(3)提供关于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JWST，Euclid和WFIRST/NEW未来的NIR超新星调查建立一个校准良好的低红移锚。这项提议的研究将涉及到一个强大的本科生组成部分，让下一代参与到活跃的大型天文研究项目中。这个项目将为研究生和博士后研究员提供培训和指导，他们将反过来与本科生合作，使他们能够为这项计划的研究和外展任务的成功做出重大贡献。这项计划的基本主题是利用多变的天空来探索宇宙。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的时间域性质，这个项目将基于泛星、SDSS和WIYN超新星图像近乎实时地创建便携式天空投影和电影。这将包括在公共场所连续进行无人值守的展示，以及在特定公共活动中进行更有针对性的展示，学生和天文学家在现场直接与公众接触。将尖端天文测量融入公民，特别是年轻成员的日常体验，将在不同群体中激发终身兴趣。这些努力将与匹兹堡卡内基科学博物馆合作，将充满活力的天空带到公众的视线中。

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.