Spitzer Space Telescope - General Observer Proposal #30733


Insight into the Progenitor of the Type Ia Supernova 2005gj

Principal Investigator: Darren DePoy
           Institution: Ohio State University

Co-Investigators: 
Jose Prieto, The Ohio State University                                
Peter Garnavich, University of Notre Dame                             
Gaston Folatelli, Carnegie Institution of Washington/Las Campanas Ob  
Mario Hamuy, Universidad de Chile                                     
Masao Sako, KIPAC/Stanford University                                 
Carlos Contreras, Carnegie Institution of Washington/Las Campanas Ob  

Science Category: evolved stars/pn/sne 
 Observing Modes: IracMap MipsPhot 
  Hours Approved: 4.3 

Abstract:
We propose to measure the evolution of the spectral energy
distribution of the unusual and exciting supernova 2005gj.  This event
is only the second clear case of a thermonuclear explosion going off
in a dense circumstellar environment (SN 2002ic was the first) and is
a rare opportunity to characterize properties of the companion star
thought to be donating mass to the white dwarf primary.  SN 2005gj was
discovered by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Supernova Search and has a
more extensive optical/near-IR light curve and spectral coverage than
the previous event.  A first epoch of IRAC imaging to study early dust
emission was obtained through a DDT proposal.  Here we request IRAC
and MIPS observations to extend the SED into far-IR to study the late
time emission from dust.