The Rich Physics of Young Supernovae

  • CART Astrophysics Seminar Series

September 26, 2024 2:00 PM - September 26, 2024 3:00 PM
PAIS 3205

Host:
Diana Dragomir
Presenter:
Michael Fausnaugh
Many of the most interesting physics in supernova explosions take place within minutes to hours of the explosion. For example, early time supernova light curves can probe the supernova explosion mechanism, end-of-life mass loss in massive stars, and the properties of progenitor star systems. These topics are all long-standing problems in astrophysics, and so ground-based transient surveys are pushing to <1 day cadence to capture young supernovae at the earliest times.  However, it is already possible to observe this critical phase of supernovae light curves with space-based, continuous monitoring from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).  I will discuss recent results from TESS on early-time supernova light curves. In particular, I will emphasize constraints from TESS on Type Ia supernovae progenitor systems (single degenerate or double degenerate systems). I will also show our first results on gamma-ray burst jets observed by TESS and the hunt for exotic transients with TESS.

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May. 16, 12:00 PM - May. 16, 2:00 PM
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