Reducing Zero-point Systematics in Dark Energy Supernova Experiments

Understand

We study the effect of filter zero-point uncertainties on future supernova dark energy missions.

• Fitting for calibration parameters using simultaneous analysis of all Type Ia supernova standard candles achieves a significant improvement over more traditional fit methods.
• This conclusion is robust under diverse experimental configurations (number of observed supernovae, maximum survey redshift, inclusion of additional systematics).
• This approach to supernova fitting considerably eases otherwise stringent mission calibration requirements.