Measurement of $q_0$ from a High-Redshift Supernova \\ and the Sources of Measurement Error

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Session 5 -- Cosmology and Gravitational Lenses
Display presentation, Monday, 9:20-6:30, Heller Lounge Room

[5.19] Measurement of $q_0$ from a High-Redshift Supernova \\ and the Sources of Measurement Error

S.Perlmutter, C.Pennypacker, G.Goldhaber, A.Goobar, J.Desai, A. Kim, M.Kim, R.Muller, H.Newberg, I.Small (LBL \& CfPA, Berkeley), B.Boyle, C.Crawford, R.McMahon (IoA), P.Bunclark, D.Carter, M.Irwin, R. Terlevich (RGO), R.Ellis, K. Glazebrook (Durham), W.Couch (UNSW), J.Mould, T.Small (Caltech), R.Abraham (DAO)

By comparing the photometry of a high-redshift Type Ia supernova to the nearby Type Ia magnitude distribution, we can measure the deceleration parameter $q_0$. We have studied the main sources of error in the distant-supernova photometry, in the nearby calibration, and in the comparison of the two. This leads to an estimate of the current $q_0$ measurement error and strategies to substantially improve the accuracy of this result. In particular, we will report the implications for $q_0$ of the analysis of Supernova 1992bi, which we discovered at $z=0.458$. Our current schedule of supernova searches and follow-up will allow us to address the main sources of error in $q_0$, since we will be using dozens of well-observed supernovae, both distant and nearby, in the calculation.

Monday program listing