Type Ia Supernovae
Traci Johnson
Type Ia supernovae are thermonuclear detonations of white dwarf stars and are the brightest explosions in the universe. Their homogeneity and brightness make them extremely powerful distance indicators to the farthest reaches of the visible universe and a great probe for cosmic evolution. Despite their aid to understanding cosmology, Type Ia supernovae themselves are poorly understood. In my comps talk I will discuss what is currently known about these supernovae and what still remains a mystery. Topics will include the use of Type Ia supernovae in cosmology, the physics of white dwarfs, supernova explosion models, and possible progenitor systems. I will finish with a case study of SN 2011fe, the brightest Type Ia supernova in 25 years which erupted in Pinwheel galaxy in August 2011.