[vsnet-campaign-sn 233] (fwd) A great opportunity for amateurs.

[Taichi Kato <tkato>]

(fwd) A great opportunity for amateurs.

   This is a forwarded message from ISN:

From: Michael Schwartz <mbs@tenagraobservatories.com>
Subject: [isnchat] A great opportunity for amateurs.
Date: Mon, 03 Sep 2001 11:04:23 -0600

Dear Supernova Searchers,

There is a unique opportunity approaching for amateurs.
During September, October and November you can make
a true contribution in determining the age of the universe,
and perhaps be a part of a revolution in physics.

It is now possible for the world's largest telescopes to see
the earliest extragalactic supernovae (SNe) in the universe.
As many of you know, it appears that SNe can be used as a
"standard candle", a way to determine distance, therefore
the age of the universe.

Whether or not Type I or Type II supernovae can be used as
reliable standard candles depends on whether or not they are
consistent. Do all type Ia SNe have the same intrinsic
brightness?  If you lined them all up at 100 light years
would they have the same brightness?

There exist a variety of computer models that describe the
SN process. Since the physics of the SN process are simulated it is
possible to predict the spectra of various kinds of SN.  As
we all appreciate, the universe does not give its secrets up
easily and it turns out that DIFFERENT models can predict the
SAME spectrum in visual light but differ in the ultraviolet (UV).
UV spectra, even from the largest ground based telescopes are
limited to only brighter objects due to UV absorption by
the ozone layer.

Therefore, professionals have been granted HST time
during September, October and November.  It will be possible
to obtain both visual (through large telescopes) and UV (HST)
spectra of nearby SNe.  The combined data will be used to
verify which models of SNe are correct resulting in the most
valuable data yet gained in the viability of using SNe as
standard candles.  HST time is hard to get and it is very
important that as many SNe searching systems are operating
cooperatively during these periods.

So during these 3 months I urge you to:

(1) Intensify your efforts!  For some of you, it is clear that
    it would be impossible to do this because you already do
    as much as you can.  I urge others to join in.
(2) Switch to a research strategy where you return
    to the same galaxies every 2 to 3 days.  It is ESSENTIAL that
    SNe be caught on the rise.
(3) More coverage in the southern hemisphere is needed.  The large
    telescopes for visual spectra are there, but the amount of regular
    SNe searching is less than in the northern hemisphere.

Please note that I am writing this as Tenagra Observatories
and not as a directive from any particular professional group.
Your questions and comments are welcome.

Most sincerely,

Michael Schwartz

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