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?

Relatively predictable luminosity:brightness decline ratios allow their use as distance indicators.

Why do cosmologist use Type Ia Supernovae as "standard candles"?

What are some criticisms for using Type Ia Supernovae as "standard candles?"