Name: Mark Crockett

Institution: Queen's University Belfast

e-mail: rcrockett02(no-spam)qub.ac.uk

Partner Contry: UK

Science Meeting: Yes

User Meeting: None Selected

NGO Staff Meeting: None Selected

Presentation: Yes

Format: Oral

Title: Supernovae progenitors with the Gemini Telescopes

Co-author: S.J. Smartt(1), S. Mattila(1), A. Pastorello(1), J.J. Eldridge(1), J.R. Maund(2)

Co-authors' Institutions: (1) Astrophysics Research Centre, School of Maths and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland, UK (2)Astronomy Department, University of Texas, 1 University Station, C1400, Austin, TX 78712

Abstract:

Two recent nearby supernovae have had red supergiant progenitors identified in pre-explosion HST and Gemini images. The estimated masses of these stars (7-8Msol) are perilously close to the theoretical limit that can produce a core-collapse supernova. In one of the cases the Gemini data rules out an electron capture supernova from an O-Mg-Ne core of a super-AGB star. We have compiled a NIR survey of nearby galaxies with NIRI (and ISAAC on the VLT) in which red supergiant progenitors of future supernovae will be detectable. We will present the deepest NIR limits for a type II SN from combined NIRI and Subaru data.

Comments: