Simulations of type-Ia supernova surveys and Monte-Carlo methods applied to cosmology

• Grant number: 14/23063-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2015
• End date: December 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Astronomy - Extragalactic Astrophysics
• Principal Investigator: Luis Raul Weber Abramo
• Grantee: Pedro Henrique Bernardinelli
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 12/00800-4 - The 3-D universe: astrophysics with large galaxy surveys, AP.TEM

Abstract

There is overwhelming observational evidence pointing to the accelerated expansion of the Universe. In a few years astronomical observations will shed new light on the source of this acceleration. The goals of this undergraduate research project are: 1) to continue the basic education of the student on General Relativity and Cosmology (which have started in 2014, with a "Scientific Initiation" project under my guidance), but now with emphasis on observational aspects; 2) to apply that knowledge in realistic situations, using simulated and real data from supernova surveys, and with the help of the simulations package SNANA (Supernova Analysis Package) -- which the student is already familiar with; and 3) to study cosmological applications of Monte-Carlo, Markov Chain Monte-Carlo and Nested Sampling methods -- also subjects which the student has already started to work with me in 2014. (AU)