Spitzer Space Telescope - Directors Discretionary Time Proposal #471

Mid-infrared observations of a bright, new, thermonuclear supernova in the Antennae Galaxy

Principal Investigator: Rubina Kotak 
           Institution: Queen's University Belfast 

Technical Contact: Rubina Kotak, Queen's University Belfast 

Co-Investigators:
Schuyler Van Dyk, Spitzer Science Center
Chris Gerardy, Florida State U.
Peter Meikle, Imperial College London

Science Category: evolved stars/pn/sne
Observing Modes: IracMap, MipsPhot, IrsStare
Hours Approved: 2.1

Abstract:
The discovery of the new, bright, type Ia supernova, SN 2007sr in the
interacting galaxy pair, NGC 4038 offers a unique opportunity to study a
type Ia supernova (SN) in an extreme environment. The occurrence of such
an event during the remaining cryogenic lifetime of Spitzer is unlikely,
so we request DDT observations with the full suite of Spitzer
instrumentation. We will use the wealth of diagnostics afforded by the
mid-IR fine-structure lines to infer the location and kinematics of the
nucleosynthesised material. Through our previous Spitzer programmes, we
are gradually building up a sample -- still relatively small -- of mid-IR
observations of SNe. This will ultimately allow to understand the diversity
of observed behaviour. SN 2007sr is likely to generate enormous interest
in the wider community, and our proposed Spitzer observations will play
a key role in piecing together the evolutionary history for this unique SN.