SN Ia Distances and Cosmology

Presenter : Rutger Dungan

Assigned Reading

http://arxiv.org/pdf/astro-ph/0703459v1

http://arxiv.org/pdf/0909.5416

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Discussion

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How are Type Ia Supernovae useful for cosmologists? They're standard candles. Relatively predictable luminosity:brightness decline ratios allow their use as distance indicators.

Why do cosmologist use Type Ia Supernovae as "standard candles"? Because their brightness is relatively constant.

What are some criticisms for using Type Ia Supernovae as "standard candles?" Because they're not as constant as one might believe.