Detecting Dust Around the Brightest Type IIP SN of 2011, SN 2011ja
Abstract
We are proposing for DD time to observe the extremely bright Type II SN 2011ja, discovered 18 December 2011, to look for signs of early dust formation. The extreme brightness (V ~ 12.3 magnitudes and rising) and proximity (~4 Mpc) make this target an ideal candidate to look for early signs of dust formation as well as to follow for many years to come. Core Collapse Supernovae (CCSNe) may explain the presence of copious amounts of dust in high redshift galaxies due to their high masses and short evolutionary timescales. With Spitzer, we will be able to carefully study the IR emission, and put strong constraints on the dust mass and how the dust changes with time. This proposed observation will be combined with optical and near-IR observations from ground based telescopes to look for signatures of dust formation which include a decrease in the continuum brightness in the visible while at the same time developing infrared excess, and asymmetric, blue-shifted emission-line profiles. Sustained observations of young, CCSNe help us to better understand what fraction of CCSNe produce dust, how much dust they produce, and how CCSNe behave at late times. These estimates will help us to deduce whether CCSNe can be a major source of dust in young, high redshift galaxies.
- Publication:
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Spitzer Proposal
- Pub Date:
- January 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012sptz.prop80239A