Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are bright, distinctive explosions that are effective tools to study the expansion history of the Universe. Given their importance, it is remarkable that we still do not know the exact nature or natures of the astrophysical systems that generate them. IAU Symposium 281 assesses the state of searches for the progenitor systems and describes progress toward the solution of the so-called Type Ia progenitor puzzle. This long-standing problem has proved difficult to solve, because it involves so many areas at the frontiers of astrophysics. Topics covered include: work on new surveys; studies of white dwarfs, accretion binaries, and related phenomena; binary evolution models and different ways to test them; and SNe Ia explosions, light curves and supernova remnants. This volume presents all sides of the ongoing debates, benefiting researchers and graduate students working on Type Ia supernovae, close binary evolution, and binary populations.
• Reviews recent progress in theory and observations which lead to a wider range of possible progenitor models than ever before • Presents all sides of the ongoing debates, while retaining a diversity of opinions on a wide range of topics reflecting physical uncertainties relating to the Type Ia progenitor puzzle • The 2011 Nobel Prize for Physics was awarded to three astrophysicists who inferred the existence of dark energy from Type Ia supernova data
Contents
Preface; Conference overview; The Organizing Committee; Conference photographs; Participants; Part I. Surveys: New Perspectives on Cosmology and the Type Ia Supernova Progenitor Problem; Part II. Stellar and Binary Processes: A. Single and binary star evolution; B. The role of rotation; Part III. Cataclysmic Variables and Classical Novae; Part IV. Possible Progenitors of Type Ia Supernovae: A. Nuclear burning white dwarfs; B. Recurrent novae and symbiotics; C. Helium donors; D. Double white dwarfs; E. Population synthesis; Part V. New Insights on SNe Ia Progenitors from Their Explosions and Aftermath: A. Explosion physics; B. Signatures of progenitors in light curves and spectra; C. Signatures of progenitors in supernova remnants; Summary; Author index.
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