<p>The open supernova catalogue calculates absolute magnitudes from the observed apparent magnitude, luminosity distance and redshift decrements.  They note that they don't account for spectral energy distribution shape, so absolute magnitudes may be approximate if there is significant absorption by dust.</p>
<p>So the catalogue isn't recording a measured or modelled absolute magnitude derived independently of the distance, (which is required if the SN are used as standard candles), but a calculated absolute magnitude derived from the apparent magnitude and the redshift.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-13T10:06:45.837Z
2020-12-13T10:06:45.837Z
James K
<p>Could someone explain in brief exactly how type II supernovae could be used as distance indicators? as in simply the formulae used and how they are employed? I know there are certain methods based on expansion velocity etc but the open supernova catalog ( <a href="https://sne.space/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://sne.space/</a> ) gives the absolute and apparent mag for type II supernovae too, why would we then need to use methods dependent upon expansion velocity and other complications when we can simply calculate distance using <span class="math-container">$10^{m-M + 5}$</span>?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-08T20:48:19.413Z
FWIW, [type Ia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_Ia_supernova) are the usual galactic standard candles.
PM 2Ring
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-08T20:52:32.950Z
yeah, those are pretty straight-forward, I simply wanted to know more about type II -p. I've read some work about EPM and SCM methods but I was just confused.
M.K 
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-08T20:57:49.923Z
No worries. But I'll leave my previous comment for the benefit of future readers. ;)
PM 2Ring
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-09T23:34:15.133Z
You say that the Open Supernova Catalog shows both m & M, but I only see m. Am I reading it wrong somehow?
D. Halsey
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-10T13:35:34.800Z
Absolute mag was computed by known redshift observed in spectra. So, m - M as the distance modulus is a derived parameter from observables.
Kornpob Bhirombhakdi
<astrophysics><distances><supernova><space>
Type II supernovae as a distance indicator
M.K 
# Type II supernovae as a distance indicator

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-12-08)

Could someone explain in brief exactly how type II supernovae could be used as distance indicators? as in simply the formulae used and how they are employed? I know there are certain methods based on expansion velocity etc but the open supernova catalog ( <https://sne.space/> ) gives the absolute and apparent mag for type II supernovae too, why would we then need to use methods dependent upon expansion velocity and other complications when we can simply calculate distance using $10^{m-M + 5}$?

**Tags:** astrophysics, distances, supernova, space

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: FWIW, [type Ia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_Ia_supernova) are the usual galactic standard candles.  
> **username_0**: yeah, those are pretty straight-forward, I simply wanted to know more about type II -p. I've read some work about EPM and SCM methods but I was just confused.  
> **username_1**: No worries. But I'll leave my previous comment for the benefit of future readers. ;)  
> **username_2**: You say that the Open Supernova Catalog shows both m & M, but I only see m. Am I reading it wrong somehow?  
> **username_3**: Absolute mag was computed by known redshift observed in spectra. So, m - M as the distance modulus is a derived parameter from observables.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2020-12-13. Score: 1

The open supernova catalogue calculates absolute magnitudes from the observed apparent magnitude, luminosity distance and redshift decrements. They note that they don't account for spectral energy distribution shape, so absolute magnitudes may be approximate if there is significant absorption by dust.

So the catalogue isn't recording a measured or modelled absolute magnitude derived independently of the distance, (which is required if the SN are used as standard candles), but a calculated absolute magnitude derived from the apparent magnitude and the redshift.


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