Program: GS-2004B-Q-27

In this proposal we seek to identify the secondary star of SN 1006 ? a type Ia Supernova observed less than 1000 years ago and recorded by the Chinese and Europeans. Our proposed spectral observations of the inner volume of the remnant will be used to search for an object which is both at the correct distance (constrained by Teff and gravity), and has the correct kinematic signature to be at the center of the remnant in 1006. These two constraints will eliminate essentially most uninteresting objects. In addition, the observations will measure the 3-dimensional motion of each star relative to the other stars in the field, and for the brighter stars will also roughly measure the chemical composition and gravity of the star. These proposed observations are sufficiently sensitive to uncover any viable non-double-degenerate system, and therefore this experiment will either detect the progenitor remnant, or if it does not, will provide irrefutable evidence that SN 1006 was caused by a double degenerate system.