Final Report Summary - COSMICEXPLOSIONS (The nature of cosmic explosions)
This program is focused on understanding the origins and physics of cosmic stellar explosions
(supernovae). Supernovae are of key importance to numerous fundamental questions in physics and
astrophysics, from cosmology, via galaxy evolution, the origins of compact objects like black holes
and neutron stars, through star formation, to the origins of the elements that form planets, life and
humans. Open questions regarding the origins and physics of supernovae are studied using an
extensive set of tools, including large-scale studies of samples of events, focused investigations of
unusual and rare events, and new methods that have been developed as part of this grant, in particular
"real-time" studies of these explosions "as they happen" (within a few hours of the actual explosion).
Some highlights from our studies include the discovery of precursors: events that happen just prior to
the explosion, likely due to pre-explosion stellar "rumbles" that eject mass from the dying star (Ofek
et al. 2013; Nature), and real-time studies that elucidate the properties of material blown away from
the dying star using spectroscopy of the infant supernova explosion (Gal-Yam et al. 2014, Nature).
(supernovae). Supernovae are of key importance to numerous fundamental questions in physics and
astrophysics, from cosmology, via galaxy evolution, the origins of compact objects like black holes
and neutron stars, through star formation, to the origins of the elements that form planets, life and
humans. Open questions regarding the origins and physics of supernovae are studied using an
extensive set of tools, including large-scale studies of samples of events, focused investigations of
unusual and rare events, and new methods that have been developed as part of this grant, in particular
"real-time" studies of these explosions "as they happen" (within a few hours of the actual explosion).
Some highlights from our studies include the discovery of precursors: events that happen just prior to
the explosion, likely due to pre-explosion stellar "rumbles" that eject mass from the dying star (Ofek
et al. 2013; Nature), and real-time studies that elucidate the properties of material blown away from
the dying star using spectroscopy of the infant supernova explosion (Gal-Yam et al. 2014, Nature).