Practice fitting the Type Ia supernova model light curve to the sample data. You can adjust both the vertical position of the model light curve and its width to fit the data. Since you are using real data, it is highly unlikely that you will get a perfect fit for all of your points. It is most important to fit the data from 10 days before the peak to 40 days after the peak, especially the 𝚫m15 section of the data. You can use the arrow keys to fine-tune the position of the curve. Make small adjustments in the curve width or vertical placement until you are satisfied with the fit.
Then, move the dotted horizontal line to the peak of your light curve to determine the peak apparent magnitude.
(Data from Zwicky Transient Facility)
The 𝚫m15 from your model light curve can be used to estimate the peak absolute magnitude (M) of the supernova using the following relationship, where a and b are constants used to calibrate the curve:
| Supernova | Peak Apparent Magnitude (m) | Peak Absolute Magnitude (M) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supernova Data |