| Research
Interests
Dr. Garnavich's research interests cover
a wide range of topics in observational astrophysics. A primary
focus has been the study of supernovae and their diversity. These
stellar explosions can be seen to large distances, making them excellent
probes for distance scales relevant to cosmology. Supernovae provide
the best way to measure properties of the mysterious dark energy
that is accelerating the cosmic expansion. The distance scale is
a continuing problem, and other ways of attacking it are calibrating
supernovae with local distance indicators such as Cepheid variables
and determining the distance to the Large Magellenic Cloud or another
nearby galaxy that can be used as a standard yardstick. Other areas
of research include jets from astrophysical sources, such as those
that appear commonly in star-forming regions resulting from the
collapse of young stellar objects. The energetics of the outflows
and source of the collimation are being studied through optical
and infrared observations. Gamma-ray bursts are also related to
jets but at much higher energies. These explosions can produce optical
transients which provide clues to the geometry and nature of the
progenitors. Dr. Garnavich is investigating the connection between
gamma-ray bursts and supernovae by looking at "hypernovae"
explosions in the nearby universe.
Selected Publications:
“Constraints
on Cosmological Models from HST Observations of High-z Supernovae,”
P.M. Garnavich, R. Kirshner, P. Challis, J. Tonry, R. Gilliland,
R.C. Smith, A. Clocchiatti, A. Diercks, A.V. Filippenko, et
al., Ap.J. Letters, 493, 93 (1998).
“Resolving
Gamma-Ray Burst 000301C with a Gravitational Microlens,” P. Garnavich,
A. Loeb, and K. Stanek, ApJL, 544, 11 (2000).
“The Strongly
Polarized Afterglow of GRB 020405", D. Bersier, B. McLeod,
P.M. Garnavich, M.J. Holman, T. Grav, J. Quinn, et al. ApJL, 583,
63 (2003).
“Discovery of the Low-Redshift Optical Afterglow of
GRB 011121 and Its Progenitor Supernova SN 2001ke,” P.M. Garnavich,
K.Z. Stanek, I. Wyrzykowski, L. Infante, et al., ApJ, 582, 924 (2003).
- Full Curriculum vitae (pdf)
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