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Paper: Properties of Type Ia Supernova Host Galaxies
Volume: 342, 1604-2004: Supernovae as Cosmological Lighthouses
Page: 242
Authors: Garnavich, P.M.; Gallagher, J.
Abstract: We study the effect of environment on the properties of type Ia supernovae (SN Ia) by analyzing the integrated spectra of 57 host galaxies. Integrated spectra of galaxies best represent the global properties of the host and can be used to directly compare with spectra of high-redshift galaxies. From the spectra we deduce the metallicity, current star-formation rate and star-formation history of the hosts and compare these to the supernova decline rate which is an indicator of the luminosity. Our results show no significant correlation between spiral host galaxy metallicity and type Ia supernova light curve decline rate. The Hα equivalent width of the host galaxy is an indicator the current star-formation rate compared to average rate in the past. The range of type Ia supernova luminosities increases with decreasing equivalent width which suggests that the variation in type Ia supernova 56Ni production is primarily due to progenitor mass and population age.
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