Detection and Classification of Supernovae Beyond z ∼ 2 Redshift with the James Webb Space Telescope

Abstract

Future time-domain surveys for transient events in the near- and midinfrared bands will significantly extend our understanding about the physics of the early universe. In this paper we study the implications of a deep (∼27 mag), long-term (∼3 yr), observationally inexpensive survey with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) within its Continuous Viewing Zone, aimed at discovering luminous supernovae beyond z ∼ 2 redshift. We explore the possibilities for detecting superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) as well as SNe Ia at such high redshifts and estimate their expected numbers within a relatively small (∼0.1 deg²) survey area. It is found that we can expect ∼10 new SLSNe and ∼50 SNe Ia discovered in the 1 < z < 4 redshift range. We show that it is possible to get relatively accurate (σ _z ≲ 0.25) photometric redshifts for SNe Ia by fitting their Spectral Energy Distributions, redshifted into the observed near-IR bands, with SN templates. We propose that SNe Ia occupy a relatively narrow range on the JWST F220W-F440W versus F150W-F356W color-color diagram between ±7 rest-frame days around maximum light, which could be a useful classification tool for such types of transients. We also study the possibility of extending the Hubble-diagram of SNe Ia beyond redshift 2 up to z ∼ 4. Such high-z SNe Ia may provide new observational constraints for their progenitor scenario.