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Here is the (slightly edited) text of a proposal to study the supernova in the infrared, with the Spitzer Space Telescope:
(bold highlighting was inserted by madbadgalaxyman)
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Spitzer Space Telescope - Directors Discretionary Time Proposal #12129
Light Echoes and the Progenitor of SN 2016adj in Cen A
Principal Investigator: Ben Sugerman
Institution: Goucher College
Technical Contact: Ben Sugerman, Goucher College
Co-Investigators:
Stephen Lawrence, Hofstra University
Hours Approved: 1.6
Abstract:
The Type Ib/IIb supernova (SN) 2016adj is the fifth closest SN to be discovered during the lifetime of HST. This event offers us a rich variety of rare and unique opportunities, including:
(1) identifying the progenitor;
(2) mapping the three-dimensional structure and chemical composition of the progenitor's circumstellar and the host galaxy's interstellar environments;
(3) testing models of stellar mass loss and high-mass stellar evolution.
The progenitor field of the SN has been observed from the near-UV to the mid-IR with HST and Spitzer, which will immediately allow us to accomplish the first science goal by
identifying the progenitor (or establishing its upper limits) once new image with the SN present are taken with both observatories. Preliminary analyses of early-time spectra of SN 2016adj indicate its light is being extinguished by
at least A(V)=2-4 magnitudes, meaning it is buried deep within the dust lane of Cen A. Echoes of the SN light off of this dust will allow us to produce high-resolution, three-dimensional maps of the structure and composition of the dust in and around the line-of-sight to the SN, which we will use to accomplish science goals (2)-(3) listed above. In particular, we will directly test the hypothesis that Type Ib/IIb SNe come not from very-high mass stars but from only moderately-massive stars that lost their envelopes to close binary companions.
Please note that since echoes pass through a given point in space only once, data are permanently lost for each epoch that is not observed. While we will propose for continued observations in the Cycle 13 call for proposals, most of
the science we propose cannot be achieved if the observations in this proposal are not taken before Cycle 13 begins.
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