Challenges and pathways forward in supernova cosmology

Using the DES photometric supernova cosmology analysis as groundwork, I will summarise our current analysis methodologies, from simulations, to transient classification, selection effect treatment, and cosmology. Despite recent improvements in analysis methods, there still exist fundamental challenges in areas spanning the initial empirical SN Ia model all the way to failing approximations built into cosmology fitters. I will highlight potential solutions to these challenges, to allow the next generation of surveys to lower the systematic floor and provide improved cosmological constraints. Additionally, I will also summarise my BAO and pipeline work for surveys like DESI, and discuss ways I’ve improved scientific workflow to allow more efficient use of researcher time.

Speaker: Samuel Hinton, Queensland