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G. Aldering (LBNL, Berkeley), Supernova Cosmology Project Collaboration, Nearby Supernova Factory Collaboration
Advances in the measurement of cosmological parameters using Type~Ia supernovae [see poster by Knop et al.] require improvements in the empirical and physical understanding of supernova peak brightnesses. The range of supernova properties must also be determined so that the effect of selection biases on future large statistical samples can be accounted for [see poster by Levi et al.]. As a start in this direction the Supernova Cosmology Project, in alliance with several other supernova and asteroid search groups, mounted a 3 month campaign which discovered 28 Type~Ia and 8 Type II nearby Hubble-flow supernovae, as well as the hypernova SN1999as. Intensive photometric and spectroscopic follow-up was obtained for 19 of the Type~Ia supernovae discovered before or near maximum light. This survey and its initial results will be described [also see posters by Regnault et al. and Garavini et al.]. Capitalizing on this initial success, a much larger program to survey nearby Hubble-flow Type~Ia supernovae --- the Nearby Supernova Factory --- was begun and is now midway through in the preparation stage. This preparation includes the construction of a custom integral-field spectrograph and imager dedicated to supernova follow-up, along with completion of a pipeline to reliably search CCD images covering over 1000 sq. deg. each night. These and other aspects of the Nearby Supernova Factory will be described [also see poster by Wood-Vasey et al].
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