[SME-PB] Explosive and high energy transients: A new era of discovery (C)

Description: New types of transient and transient behaviour are being discovered at an increasingly rapid pace, highlighting the gaps in our current understanding. Thanks to the introduction (and completion) of wide-field, high-cadence, and panchromatic sky-surveys, such as SDSS, (i)PTF, DES, and new ongoing surveys such as ZTF, ATLAS, and GOTO, the transient domain phase-space has been populated with an ever-growing sample of events, challenging our knowledge of explosion physics.  

High-quality observations of large statistical samples contribute a profound understanding on the state of progenitor systems, the evolution of transient phenomena, their influence on the surrounding medium, and uses for cosmology. Not only have we uncovered new insight into well-known classes of events (e.g., SN Ia, II and Ib/c), but we have also unearthed several new subclasses (e.g., superluminous SNe, SNe Iax and Ca-rich events). Moreover, the dividing lines between these subclasses have become less clear, with increasing numbers of interim transients regularly discovered (e.g., SNe Ia-CSM, stripped envelope SN-Ib/c with signs of interaction, FBOTs, faint and fast SNe, and other exotic events).  

The future of transient astronomy poses additional challenges: surveys such as LSST and JWST will discover events on the most rapid timescales and at the earliest epochs of star-formation in our Universe. Spectroscopic follow-up of these discoveries will be performed at an industrial scale by multi-object fibre-fed experiments such as 4MOST/TiDES and WEAVE. The volume, variety, and velocity of the data challenge is unprecedented, as millions of new SNe and other transient events will be discovered and followed. As we herald the new age of statistical supremacy, we must now tackle the shortcomings of our astrophysical knowledge if we are to truly realise the power of the data.  

The aim of this session is to deepen our understanding of these explosive and high-energy transients (including, but not limited to: novae, supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, and TDEs) by fostering collaboration and discussion within the community. What impact does the transient host environment play in shaping the outcome of explosive transients? How is the explosion triggered and how does the explosion physics determine the observational signatures? What powers rapidly evolving transients? How are TDEs affected by the progenitor star and local environment? Our goal is to address these and other questions with this session, in addition to discussing preparation for upcoming surveys and facilities.

In keeping with our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, we encourage submissions from groups typically under-represented in astronomy, including women, non-binary persons, and ethnic minorities, in addition to early career researchers. We will conduct an initial ranking of anonymised abstracts and make adjustments where necessary to ensure the appropriate balance is achieved. Abstracts not selected for submitted talks will be invited to present posters and be given the opportunity to advertise their work through a short flash talk. We will also accept remote talks from those unable to attend in person, and ensure that all sessions are set-up for hybrid attendance.