Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Jul 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006hst..prop10793g&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #10793. Cycle 15
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Scientific paper
We propose to continue our ongoing program designed to measure, to an unprecedented 30% accuracy, the SN-Ia rate in a sample of massive z=0.5-0.9 galaxy clusters. The SN-Ia rate is a poorly known observable, especially at high z, and in cluster environments. The SN rate and its redshift dependence can serve as powerful discrimiminants for a number of key issues in astrophysics and cosmology. Our observations will: 1. Put clear constraints on the characteristic SN-Ia "delay time," the typical time between the formation of a stellar population and the explosion of some of its members as SNe-Ia. Such constraints can exclude entire categories of SN-Ia progenitor models, since different models predict different delays. 2. Help resolve the question of the dominant source of the high metallicity in the intracluster medium ICM - SNe-Ia, or core-collapse SNe from an early stellar population with a top-heavy IMF, perhaps those population III stars responsible for the early re-ionization of the Universe. Since clusters are excellent laboratories for studying enrichment they generally have a simple star-formation history, and matter cannot leave their deep potentials, the results will be relevant for understanding metal enrichment in general, and the possible role of first generation stars in early Universal enrichment. Observations obtained so far during cycle 14 yield many SNe in our cluster fields, but our follow-up campaign reveals most are not in cluster galaxies. Our interim results indicate a cluster SN rate at the very low end of the range considered, and its accuracy is limited by the small number of cluster SNe. We request additional visits to increase the number of cluster SNe and achieve a measurement that is not limited by Poisson errors. A detailed progress report is included.
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