See Change: Classifying single observation transients from HST using SNCosmo
Abstract
The Supernova Cosmology Project (SCP) is executing "See Change", a large HST program to look for possible variation in dark energy using supernovae at z>1. As part of the survey, we often must make time-critical follow-up decisions based on multicolor detection at a single epoch. We demonstrate the use of the SNCosmo software package to obtain simulated fluxes in the HST filters for type Ia and core-collapse supernovae at various redshifts. These simulations allow us to compare photometric data from HST with the distribution of the simulated SNe through methods such as Random Forest, a learning method for classification, and Gaussian Kernel Estimation. The results help us make informed decisions about triggered follow up using HST and ground based observatories to provide time-critical information needed about transients. Examples of this technique applied in the context of See Change are shown.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #227
- Pub Date:
- January 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016AAS...22713910S