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SUMMARY:Supernova flash spectroscopy: a new observational window into stel
 lar death - Avishay Gal-Yam\, Weizmann Institute
DTSTART:20150205T163000Z
DTEND:20150205T173000Z
UID:TALK57142@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Simon Hodgkin
DESCRIPTION:We present the technique of flash spectroscopy: rapid spectros
 copic observation of supernovae\, shortly (hours) after they explode. Stro
 ng shock breakout radiation flash-ionizes any surrounding circumstellar ma
 terial (CSM) distributed around the exploding star\, and the resulting rec
 ombination emission lines enable a direct measurement of the CSM compositi
 on. As the ejecta expand they sweep up the CSM\, so a series of spectra tr
 acking the emission line evolution will allow to constrain the physical di
 stribution of gas around each event. The CSM around massive stars is a pro
 be of their evolution during the final year prior to explosion\, a critica
 l period not easily accessible till now. We demonstrate the efficacy of th
 is technique with recent studies from the iPTF survey that can regularly d
 etect SNe hours after they explode.
LOCATION:Sackler Lecture Theatre\, IoA (tea at 4:00 pm)
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