The Nearby Supernovae Factory: Monitoring Spectrograph

Calibration LampBen Dilday

Advisor: Rick Kessler, CfCPPhysics 335

March 10, 2004

Project Overview

• SNFactory– Observe low-Z Type Ia supernovae– Correlate intrinsic brightness with light

curve characteristics– Reduce statistical error in cosmological

parameters

Project Overview

• Calibration– Blackbody emission source (lamp at

T~3000K) calibrates spectrograph

• University of Chicago CfCP Role– instrumentation to confirm stability of

blackbody source– Measure red-blue ratio

Physics 335 Project Objectives

• Hardware– Construct casing for pin diodes– Remotely controlled roof

• Opens to allow light onto PIN diodes• Closes to protect from environment

– Instrument installation

• Software– Stepper motor (roof) interface– Analysis

Physics 335 Objectives

• Casing for pin diodes

COMPLETED

16 1/2” x 15 1/2” x 10 1/4”

1/4” garolite on 1/2” aluminum base

1/32” garolite roof on 1/8” garolite frame

Physics 335 Objectives

1.8 degree stepper motor

- interfaced via AllMotion EZHR23 stepper motor controller

Previous controller: EZ17

- coarse step resolution

- inadequate

• Remotely controlled roof

Physics 335 Objectives

• Stepper motor (roof) interface

COMPLETED

Allows remote operation and status checks

Physics 335 Objectives• Instrument Installation

Mauna Kea Observatories, Hawaiihttp://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/mko/maunakea.htm

INSTALLATION SCHEDULE

March 22nd – Hilo

Reassemble instrument

March 29th – Mauna Kea

Install on UH 2.2 meter

Physics 335 Objectives• Analysis of PIN diode data

SOFTWARE

In progress

SN OBSERVATIONS

~Late Spring ?

http://harris.roe.ac.uk/~jkd/startrails.htmlGemini, the UH88 inch and UKIRT

Conclusion & Project Outlook• Casing with Roof

– COMPLETE

• Stepper motor (Remote Operation)– COMPLETE

• Installation– Scheduled for end of March

• Analysis– PIN diode analysis software likely finished by late

April– Application of PIN diode data

• Techniques not certain until experiments can be carried out