Program: GN-2005B-Q-7

Title:The Nature of Dark Energy from Type Ia Supernovae
PI:Isobel Hook
Co-I(s): Ray Carlberg, Andy Howell, Don Neill, Kathy Perrett, * Chris Pritchet, Mark Sullivan, Richard McMahon, Justin Bronder, Greg Aldering, * Saul Perlmutter, Reynald Pain

Abstract

Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) currently provide the most direct evidence for an accelerating Universe and for the existence of an unknown "dark energy" driving this expansion. The 5-year Supernova Legacy Survey (part of the CFHT Legacy Survey) will deliver ~1000 SN Ia detections with well-sampled g'r'i'z' light curves. Using this definitive dataset, we will obtain a precise measurement of the cosmological parameters (Omega_Matter, Omega_Lambda), our goal is to determine the cosmological equation of state parameter "w" to a statistical precision of +/-0.07, testing theories for the origin of the universal acceleration. The amount of spectroscopic follow-up performed will define the success of this survey. Approximately 700 of the 1000 SNe Ia detected will be spectroscopically confirmed in a coherent program involving all of the world's major telescopes (Gemini, VLT, Keck). Gemini, with nod-and-shuffle observations, plays a pivotal role within this collaboration (Howell et al 2005). The goal for Gemini this semester is to obtain types and redshifts for ~30 SN Ia candidates between redshift 0.6-0.9 (the total for Gemini over 5 years will be ~300 SNe Ia candidates), contributing to a large, high quality and homogeneous SN Ia sample with photometry, spectroscopy, light-curve sampling, and colour information superior to any existing -- or planned -- sample. This continuing QR (quick response) proposal is for GMOS-N time, a similar request for GMOS-S time has been submitted.

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