Are SNe type II interacting with CSM ?- Are Supernovae from Red SuperGiant (RSG) interacting with Circumstellar material? The student will analyze a large set of spectra of SNe type II searching for high velocity features of Hydrogen. These features have been proposed to be an indirect evidence of interaction between the expanding Supernova ejecta and the material ejected by the RSG before the explosion. A carful analysis of the evolution and strength of this feature is needed. Correlation between this spectra feature and other supernova characteristics will provide new insight on the last stage of evolution of massive stars before they explode as Supernova. Knowledge of python is a plus.
Figure: possible High velocity features of Hydrogen in type II SNe |
Early Phase of nearby SNe- The best way to gain insight into the explosion physics of Supernovae is to study it in the first hours to days after the event, when the expanding ejecta has still not “washed out” the environment of the progenitor. The student will participate in the search and follow-up of new nearby supernovae. The student will learn how to analyze Supernova data to understand their origin. Knowledge of python is a plus.
Figure: Constrain on the radius of a type II Supernova from early temperature evolution (Valenti et al 2014) |