"Studies of Supernovae and Supernova Remnants" AST-9819825
This is an international collaborative program to observe low-redshift supernovae (SNe) in a coordinated attempt to improve the precision with which such objects can be used as cosmological distance indicators. This program includes not only supernova of type SNe Ia, but also several types of supernovae that are not used as standard candles, so that the classification system can be improved. A key goal in the new effort centers on improving the characterization of supernova evolution in the near-ultraviolet, which is redshifted into the optical red spectral region for high redshift (Z ~ 1) SNe Ia seen near the limit of current searches. The latter refinement is particularly important to current cosmological studies. Much of the observational effort will be performed at the MMT, which is likely to become available in 2000. This effort includes a collaboration with Australian researchers to improve the southern hemisphere sky coverage, detection, and follow-up of supernova events.
This project is co-funded by the NSF AST Stellar Astronomy & Astrophysics program and the NSF INT East Asian and South Pacific program.
