The Nearby Supernova Factory

Abstract

The Nearby Supernova Factory (SNfactory) is an ambitious project to find and study in detail approximately 300 nearby Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) at redshifts 0.03 < z < 0.08. This program will provide an exceptional data set of well-studied SNe in the nearby smooth Hubble flow that can be used as calibration for the current and future programs designed to use SNe to measure the cosmological parameters. The first key ingredient for this program is a reliable supply of Hubble-flow SNe systematically discovered in unprecedented numbers using the same techniques as those used in distant SNe searches. In 2002, 35 SNe were found using our test-bed pipeline for automated SN search and discovery. The pipeline uses images from the asteroid search conducted by the Near Earth Asteroid Tracking group at JPL. Improvements in our subtraction techniques and analysis have allowed us to increase our effective SN discovery rate to ∼12 SNe/month in 2003.

Rates and progenitors of type Ia supernovae

“…In order to fill the vital need for a well-observed sample of nearby SNe Ia, the Nearby Supernova Factory (SNfactory) project Pécontal et al 2003;Wood-Vasey et al 2004a) has been devised to discover and study in detail 300 SNe Ia to better understand and calibrate these important cosmological tools. The SNfactory aims to provide a definitive data set for nearby SNe Ia by observing a large and diverse sample of SNe Ia to provide a comprehensive sample of the parameter space of observed SN Ia variation for comparison with higher-redshift SNe Ia.…”

“…The Nearby Supernova Factory (SNfactory) project is designed to bring this improved understanding of SNe Ia Pécontal et al 2003;Lantz 2003). Over the course of three years, it will study 300 SNe Ia in the nearby smooth Hubble flow A.2.…”