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- Miknaitis, G., et al.
(author)
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The ESSENCE supernova survey : Survey optimization, observations, and supernova photometry
- 2007
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 666:2, s. 674-693
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We describe the implementation and optimization of the ESSENCE supernova survey, which we have undertaken to measure the dark energy equation-of-state parameter, w = P/(rho c(2)). We present a method for optimizing the survey exposure times and cadence to maximize our sensitivity to w for a given fixed amount of telescope time. For our survey on the CTIO 4 m telescope, measuring the luminosity distances and redshifts for supernovae at modest redshifts (z approximate to 0: 5 +/- 0: 2) is optimal for determining w. We describe the data analysis pipeline based on using reliable and robust image subtraction to find supernovae automatically and in nearly real time. Since making cosmological inferences with supernovae relies crucially on accurate measurement of their apparent brightnesses, we describe our efforts to establish a thorough calibration of the CTIO 4 m telescope's natural photometric system. In its first four years, ESSENCE has discovered and spectroscopically confirmed 102 Type Ia supernovae, at redshifts from 0.10 to 0.78, identified through an impartial, effective methodology for spectroscopic classification and redshift determination. We present the resulting light curves for all of the Type Ia supernovae found by ESSENCE and used in our measurement of w, presented in a companion paper by Wood-Vasey and coworkers.
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- Wood-Vasey, W. M., et al.
(author)
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Observational constraints on the nature of dark energy : First cosmological results from the ESSENCE supernova survey
- 2007
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 666:2, s. 694-715
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present constraints on the dark energy equation-of-state parameter, w = P/(rho c(2)), using 60 SNe Ia fromthe ESSENCE supernova survey. We derive a set of constraints on the nature of the dark energy assuming a flat universe. By including constraints on (Omega(M), w) from baryon acoustic oscillations, we obtain a value for a static equation-of-state parameter w = -1:05(-0.12)(+0: 13) (stat 1 sigma) +/- 0: 13 (sys) and Omega(M) = 0:274(-0.020)(+0:033) (stat 1 sigma) with a bestfit chi(2)/dof of 0.96. These results are consistent with those reported by the Supernova Legacy Survey from the first year of a similar program measuring supernova distances and redshifts. We evaluate sources of systematic error that afflict supernova observations and present Monte Carlo simulations that explore these effects. Currently, the largest systematic with the potential to affect our measurements is the treatment of extinction due to dust in the supernova host galaxies. Combining our set of ESSENCE SNe Ia with the first-results Supernova Legacy Survey SNe Ia, we obtain a joint constraint of w = -1:07(-0: 09)(+0:09) (stat 1 sigma) +/- 0: 13 ( sys), Omega(M) 0:267(-0:028)(+0:028) (stat 1 sigma) with a best-fit chi(2)/dof of 0.91. The current global SN Ia data alone rule out empty (Omega(M) = 0), matter-only Omega(M) = 0: 3, and Omega(M) = 1 universes at > 4.5 sigma. The current SN Ia data are fully consistent with a cosmological constant.
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3. |
- Stritzinger, Maximilian, et al.
(author)
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The He-Rich Core-Collapse Supernova 2007Y : Observations from X-Ray to Radio Wavelengths
- 2009
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 696:1, s. 713-728
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A detailed study spanning approximately a year has been conducted on the Type Ib supernova (SN) 2007Y. Imaging was obtained from X-ray to radio wavelengths, and a comprehensive set of multi-band (w2m2w1u'g'r'i'UBVYJHKs ) light curves and optical spectroscopy is presented. A virtually complete bolometric light curve is derived, from which we infer a 56Ni mass of 0.06 M sun. The early spectrum strongly resembles SN 2005bf and exhibits high-velocity features of Ca II and Hα during late epochs the spectrum shows evidence of an ejecta-wind interaction. Nebular emission lines have similar widths and exhibit profiles that indicate a lack of major asymmetry in the ejecta. Late phase spectra are modeled with a non-LTE code, from which we find 56Ni, O, and total-ejecta masses (excluding He) to be 0.06, 0.2, and 0.42 M sun, respectively, below 4500 km s-1. The 56Ni mass confirms results obtained from the bolometric light curve. The oxygen abundance suggests that the progenitor was most likely a ≈3.3 M sun He core star that evolved from a zero-age-main-sequence mass of 10-13 M sun. The explosion energy is determined to be ≈1050 erg, and the mass-loss rate of the progenitor is constrained from X-ray and radio observations to be lsim10-6 M sun yr-1. SN 2007Y is among the least energetic normal Type Ib SNe ever studied. Partly based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory, La Silla and Paranal Observatories, Chile (ESO Programme 078.D-0048 and 380.D-0272).
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