Program: GN-2014A-Q-24

Title:SN2011fe at late times
PI:Wolfgang Kerzendorf
Co-I(s): Stefan Taubenberger, Ashley Ruiter, Ivo Seitenzahl

Abstract

SNe Ia are amongst the most powerful explosions in the Universe. Their high energies are uniquely suited to probe nuclear and particle physics that is outside the reach of man-built experiments. With the proposed project, we aim to better understand the complex interplay of energy injection and its emission via atomic processes at late phases of SN Ia evolution. In the conventional picture, SN Ia light curves at ~1000d decline exponentially at the rate of radioactive decay of 56Co. However, including more complete nuclear and atomic physics predicts a change of the light curve shape compared to this standard picture. Notably, escape of 56Co decay positrons or a so-called infrared catastrophe would lead to an enhanced fading, whereas consideration of internal conversion and Auger electrons from the decay of 57Co predicts a slow-down of the decline. So far, neither of these has been observationally confirmed, owing to the lack of sufficiently late observations. SN 2011fe was the closest SN Ia of the past 27 years. This supernova is therefore a rare and ideal candidate for a study of its late light curve evolution, providing unprecedented insight into atomic and nuclear physical processes. We propose to observe SN 2011fe on two epochs with Gemini to obtain the latest light curve data points ever observed for a SN Ia. This will enable us to confirm or disprove the three theoretical predictions mentioned before.

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