SOLAS (meaning Light in Irish) is an open-source ray tracing code developed to analyze emission line profiles in transient astronomical events.
We are entering a new era of supernova science, where the progenitor may be spectroscopically observed before it undergoes core-collapse (see SN 2023fyq). Although an exciting concept, the models needed to understand these observations are sparse. Motivated by this, SOLAS is conceptualized to provide a solution.
Currently in development, SOLAS will soon release a minimal viable product, building on the legacy of escatter.py.
Most existing tools for studying transient events assume spherical symmetry, which fails to represent the highly asymmetric nature of these explosions. While several codes can model these phenomena, SOLAS aspires to be the first open-source, user-friendly tool that effectively incorporates the complexities of asymmetry in transient events.
- Systems will comprise emission from Hα 6563Å and/or He I 5875λ photons.
- Trace a photon from its emission at the photosphere through an intervening medium, capturing scattering, emission, and absorption events, as well as occultation effects.
- Generate detailed emission and absorption line profiles to analyze the intervening material and, crucially, its geometry.
- Position an "observer" at various orientations to assess line-of-sight effects.
- Utilize your own models — if you have data on the location of your photosphere, along with the density, distribution, and temperature of the intervening material — to explore potential emergent profiles.
If you’re interested in contributing to the development of this open-source tool, please contact me.