A Survey for Supernovae
in Massive High-Redshift Clusters

(HST programs GO 10493, cycle 14 and GO 10793, cycle 15)



We intend to measure, to an unprecedented 30% accuracy, the SN-Ia rate in a sample of massive z=0.5-0.9 galaxy clusters. The SN-Ia rate is a poorly known observable, especially at high z, and in cluster environments. The SN rate and its redshift dependence can serve as powerful discrimiminants for a number of key issues in astrophysics and cosmology. Our observations will:
1. Put clear constraints on the characteristic SN-Ia "delay time", the typical time between the formation of a stellar population and the explosion of some of its members as SNe-Ia. Such constraints can exclude entire categories of SN-Ia progenitor models, since different models predict different delays.

2. Help resolve the question of the dominant source of the high metallicity in the intracluster medium {ICM} - SNe-Ia, or core-collapse SNe from an early stellar population with a top-heavy IMF, perhaps those population III stars responsible for the early re-ionization of the Universe. Since clusters are excellent laboratories for studying enrichment {they generally have a simple star-formation history, and matter cannot leave their deep potentials}, the results will be relevant for understanding metal enrichment in general, and the possible role of first generation stars in early Universal enrichment.

3. Reveal, via nuclear variability, the AGN fraction in clusters at this redshift, to be compared with the field AGN fraction. This will be valuable input for understanding black-hole demographics, AGN evolution, and ICM energetics.

4. Potentially discover intergalactic cluster SNe, which can trace the stripped stellar population at high z.


See our poster presented at the Cefalu meeting, Italy, June 2006.


Target Clusters Reference Info
# Cluster Redshift Coordinates (J2000) Status: cycle 14 / 15 Obs. date Exp.[s] Filters PID
1 MACSJ0025-1222 z=0.584 00 25 30.23 -12 22 43.0 [Scheduling window: Sep. 07] Cancelled 2004 Oct 23 4470
4560		 F555W
F814W		 9722
2 MACSJ0257-2325 z=0.506 02 57 08.83 -23 26 03.3 Observed
2005Aug11		 Observed
2006Aug07		 2004 Jan 16 4500
4590		 F555W
F814W		 9722
3 MACSJ0647+7015 z=0.584 06 47 49.78 +70 14 56.4 Observed
2006Feb01		 Observed
2006Nov07		 2004 Dec 5 3870
3960		 F555W
F814W		 9722
4 MACSJ0717+3745 z=0.548 07 17 32.93 +37 45 05.4 Observed
2004Apr02		 Observed
2006Oct13		 2004 Apr 2

2005 Jan 25		 4470
4560
(1980)		 F555W
F814W
(F606W)		 9722

(10420)
5 MACSJ0744+3927 z=0.686 07 44 52.58 +39 27 26.7 Observed
2005Dec20		 Observed
2006Dec08		 2004 Feb 5
2004 Feb 5		 4470
4560		 F555W
F814W		 9722
9722
6 MACSJ0911+1746 z=0.504 09 11 11.18 +17 46 34.8 Observed
2005Oct14		 Observed
2006Dec12		 2004 Mar 26 4470
4560
 F555W
F814W		 9722
7 MACSJ1149+2223 z=0.544 11 49 35.51 +22 24 04.2 Observed Cancelled 2004 Apr 22 4500
4590		 F555W
F814W		 9722
8 MACSJ1423+2404 z=0.545 14 23 48.60 +24 04 49.1 Observed Cancelled 2004 Jun 16 4500
4590		 F555W
F814W		 9722
9 MACSJ2129-0741 z=0.570 21 29 26.30 -07 41 26.2 Observed Cancelled 2003 Sep 11 4440
4530		 F555W
F814W 		9722
10 MACSJ2214-1359 z=0.504 22 14 57.34 -14 00 12.2 Observed Cancelled 2003 Oct 29 4470
4560		 F555W
F814W		 9722
11 CLJ1226.9+3332 z=0.888 12 26 58.21 +33 32 49.4 Observed
2006Jan29		 Observed
2006Jan23		 2003 Apr 9-25 >4000
>4000		 F555W
F814W		 9033
12 MS1054.4-0321 z=0.83 10 57 00.20 -03 37 27.0 Observed
2006Jan01 		Observed
2007Jan21		 2002 Dec 24
2002 Dec 26
2004 Feb 13
2004 Jan 19		 4340 (Pos3)
4340 (Pos4)
2025 (Pos3)
2025 (Pos4)		 F775W
F775W
F606W
F606W		 9290
9290
9919
9919
footprint
13 MS0016.5+1654 z=0.54 00 18 32.80 +16 26 06.9 Observed Cancelled 2002 Jun 23 2440 F775W 9292
14 MS0451.6-0305 z=0.55 04 54 10.48 -03 01 38.5 Observed Cancelled 2004 Jan 27
2002 Apr 9
2004 Jan 15		 2036
2440
4410		 F814W
F775W
F555W		 9836
9292
9722
footprint
15 CL0152-1357 z=0.831 01 52 43.00 -13 57 20.00 Observed 2005Jun12 Observed 2006Sep20 2002 Nov 6-10 4800x(Pos1,2,3,4)
4750x(Pos1,2,3,4)
(more available)		 F775W
F625W		 9290
16 SDSS1004+41 z=0.68 10 04 34.72 +41 12 44.98 Observed
2005Dec15		 Observed
2007Jan16		 2004 Apr 2025
2025

 F814W
F555W
F475W		 9744
(10509)


SN table here


Team:

Avishay Gal-Yam (Caltech, PI)
Dan Maoz (TAU, CoI)
Keren Sharon (TAU, CoI)
Megan Donahue (MSU, CoI)
Harald Ebeling (UH, CoI)
Richard Ellis (Caletch, CoI)
Alex Filippenko (UCB, CoI)
Ryan Foley (UCB, CoI)
Wendy Freedman (OCIW, CoI)
Robert Kirshner (CfA, CoI)
Jean-Paul Kneib (Marseille, CoI)
Thomas Matheson (NOAO, CoI)
John Mulchaey (OCIW, CoI)
Mark Phillips (OCIW, CoI)
Vicki Sarajedini (UF, CoI)
Mark Voit (MSU, CoI)



Constructed: August 2005, by: Avishay Gal-Yam , E-Mail: avishay@astro.caltech.edu and Keren Sharon , E-Mail: kerens@wise.tau.ac.il
Last update : 11/20/2008 20:02:30