High-redshift Type Ia Supernovae Research Articles

The HST See Change Program. I. Survey Design, Pipeline, and Supernova Discoveries*

Abstract The See Change survey was designed to make z > 1 cosmological measurements by efficiently discovering high-redshift Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) and improving cluster mass measurements through weak lensing. This survey observed twelve galaxy clusters with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) spanning the redshift range z = 1.13–1.75, discovering 57 likely transients and 27 likely SNe Ia at z ∼ 0.8–2.3. As in similar previous surveys, this proved to be a highly efficient use of HST for supernova observations; the See Change survey additionally tested the feasibility of maintaining, or further increasing, the efficiency at yet higher redshifts, where we have less detailed information on the expected cluster masses and star formation rates. We find that the resulting number of SNe Ia per orbit is a factor of ∼8 higher than for a field search, and 45% of our orbits contained an active SN Ia within 22 rest-frame days of peak, with one of the clusters by itself yielding 6 of the SNe Ia. We present the survey design, pipeline, and supernova discoveries. Novel features include fully blinded supernova searches, the first random forest candidate classifier for undersampled IR data (with a 50% detection threshold within 0.05 mag of human searchers), real-time forward-modeling photometry of candidates, and semi-automated photometric classifications and follow-up forecasts. We also describe the spectroscopic follow-up, instrumental in measuring host galaxy redshifts. The cosmology analysis of our sample will be presented in a companion paper.

Investigating Cosmic Discordance

Abstract We show that a combined analysis of cosmic microwave background anisotropy power spectra obtained by the Planck satellite and luminosity distance data simultaneously excludes a flat universe and a cosmological constant at 99% confidence level. These results hold separately when combining Planck with three different data sets: the two determinations of the Hubble constant from Riess et al. and Freedman et al., and the Pantheon catalog of high-redshift Type Ia supernovae. We conclude that either the Lambda cold dark matter model needs to be replaced by a different paradigm, or else there are significant but still undetected systematics. Our result calls for new observations and stimulates the investigation of alternative theoretical models and solutions.

Standard Candles and Sirens Rescue H0

Abstract We show that future observations of binary neutron star systems with electromagnetic counterparts together with the traditional probes of low- and high-redshift Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) can help resolve the Hubble tension. The luminosity distance inferred from these probes and its scatter depend on the underlying cosmology. By using the gravitational lensing of light or gravitational waves emitted by, and peculiar motion of, these systems we derive constraints on the sum of neutrino masses, the equation of state of dark energy parameterized in the form , along with the Hubble constant and cold dark matter density in the universe. We show that even after marginalizing over poorly constrained physical quantities, such as the sum of neutrino masses and the nature of dark energy, low-redshift gravitational-wave observations, in combination with SNe Ia, have the potential to rule out new physics as the underlying cause of the Hubble tension at ≳5.5σ.

See Change: VLT spectroscopy of a sample of high-redshift Type Ia supernova host galaxies

ABSTRACT The Supernova Cosmology Project has conducted the ‘See Change’ programme, aimed at discovering and observing high-redshift (1.13 ≤ z ≤ 1.75) Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). We used multifilter Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of massive galaxy clusters with sufficient cadence to make the observed SN Ia light curves suitable for a cosmological probe of dark energy at z > 0.5. This See Change sample of SNe Ia with multi-colour light curves will be the largest to date at these redshifts. As part of the See Change programme, we obtained ground-based spectroscopy of each discovered transient and/or its host galaxy. Here, we present Very Large Telescope (VLT) spectra of See Change transient host galaxies, deriving their redshifts, and host parameters such as stellar mass and star formation rate. Of the 39 See Change transients/hosts that were observed with the VLT, we successfully determined the redshift for 26, including 15 SNe Ia at z > 0.97. We show that even in passive environments, it is possible to recover secure redshifts for the majority of SN hosts out to z = 1.5. We find that with typical exposure times of 3−4 h on an 8-m-class telescope we can recover ∼75 per cent of SN Ia redshifts in the range of 0.97 < z < 1.5. Furthermore, we show that the combination of HST photometry and VLT spectroscopy is able to provide estimates of host galaxy stellar mass that are sufficiently accurate for use in a mass-step correction in the cosmological analysis.

The ESO’s VLT type Ia supernova spectral set of the final two years of SNLS

Aims. We aim to present 70 spectra of 68 new high-redshift type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) measured at ESO’s VLT during the final two years of operation (2006–2008) of the Supernova Legacy Survey (SNLS). This new sample complements the VLT three year spectral set. Altogether, these two data sets form the five year sample of SNLS SN Ia spectra measured at the VLT on which the final SNLS cosmological analysis will partly be based. In the redshift range considered, this sample is unique in terms of homogeneity and number of spectra. We use it to investigate the possibility of a spectral evolution of SNe Ia populations with redshift as well as SNe Ia spectral properties as a function of lightcurve fit parameters and the mass of the host-galaxy. Methods. Reduction and extraction are based on both IRAF standard tasks and our own reduction pipeline. Redshifts are estimated from host-galaxy lines whenever possible or alternatively from supernova features. We used the spectro-photometric SN Ia model SALT2 combined with a set of galaxy templates that model the host-galaxy contamination to assess the type Ia nature of the candidates. Results. We identify 68 new SNe Ia with redshift ranging from z = 0.207 to z = 0.98 for an average redshift of z = 0.62. Each spectrum is presented individually along with its best-fit SALT2 model. Adding this new sample to the three year VLT sample of SNLS, the final dataset contains 209 spectra corresponding to 192 SNe Ia identified at the VLT. We also publish the redshifts of other candidates (host galaxies or other transients) whose spectra were obtained at the same time as the spectra of live SNe Ia. This list provides a new redshift catalog useful for upcoming galaxy surveys. Using the full VLT SNe Ia sample, we build composite spectra around maximum light with cuts in color, the lightcurve shape parameter (“stretch”), host-galaxy mass and redshift. We find that high-z SNe Ia are bluer, brighter and have weaker intermediate mass element absorption lines than their low-z counterparts at a level consistent with what is expected from selection effects. We also find a flux excess in the range [3000–3400] Å for SNe Ia in low mass host-galaxies (M < 1010M⊙) or with locally blue U–V colors, and suggest that the UV flux (or local color) may be used in future cosmological studies as a third standardization parameter in addition to stretch and color.

The cosmic transparency measured with Type Ia supernovae: implications for intergalactic dust

Abstract Observations of high-redshift Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are used to study the cosmic transparency at optical wavelengths. Assuming a flat Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) cosmological model based on baryon acoustic oscillations and cosmic microwave background measurements, redshift dependent deviations of SN Ia distances are used to constrain mechanisms that would dim light. The analysis is based on the most recent Pantheon SN compilation, for which there is a $0.03 \pm 0.01 \, {(\rm {stat})}$ mag discrepancy in the distant supernova distance moduli relative to the ΛCDM model anchored by supernovae at z < 0.05. While there are known systematic uncertainties that combined could explain the observed offset, here we entertain the possibility that the discrepancy may instead be explained by scattering of supernova light in the intergalactic medium (IGM). We focus on two effects: Compton scattering by free electrons and extinction by dust in the IGM. We find that if the discrepancy is entirely due to dimming by dust, the measurements can be modelled with a cosmic dust density $\Omega _{\rm IGM}^{\rm dust} = 8 \times 10^{-5} (1+z)^{-1}$, corresponding to an average attenuation of 2 × 10−5 mag Mpc−1 in V band. Forthcoming SN Ia studies may provide a definitive measurement of the IGM dust properties, while still providing an unbiased estimate of cosmological parameters by introducing additional parameters in the global fits to the observations.

Testing for redshift evolution of Type Ia supernovae using the strongly lensed PS1-10afx atz= 1.4

The light from distant supernovae (SNe) can be magnified through gravitational lensing when a foreground galaxy is located along the line of sight. This line-up allows for detailed studies of SNe at high redshift that otherwise would not be possible. Spectroscopic observations of lensed high-redshift Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are of particular interest since they can be used to test for evolution of their intrinsic properties. The use of SNe Ia for probing the cosmic expansion history has proven to be an extremely powerful method for measuring cosmological parameters. However, if systematic redshift-dependent properties are found, their usefulness for future surveys could be challenged. We investigate whether the spectroscopic properties of the strongly lensed and very distant SN Ia PS1-10afx at $z=1.4$ deviates from the well-studied populations of normal SNe Ia at nearby or intermediate distance. We created median spectra from nearby and intermediate-redshift spectroscopically normal SNe Ia from the literature at -5 and +1 days from light-curve maximum. We then compared these median spectra to those of PS1-10afx. We do not find signs of spectral evolution in PS1-10afx. The observed deviation between PS1-10afx and the median templates are within what is found for SNe at low- and intermediate-redshift. There is a noticeable broad feature centred at $\rm \lambda\sim 3500$~\AA{}, which is present only to a lesser extent in individual low and intermediate redshift SN Ia spectra. From a comparison with a recently developed explosion model, we find this feature to be dominated by iron peak elements, in particular, singly ionized cobalt and chromium.

Cosmological parameters for spatially flat dust filled Universe in Brans-Dicke theory

We have investigated late time acceleration for a spatially flat dust filled Universe in Brans-Dicke theory in the presence of a positive cosmological constant Λ. Expressions for Hubble’s constant, luminosity distance and apparent magnitude have been obtained for our model. The theoretical results are compared with observed values of the latest 287 high redshift (0.3 ≤ z ≤ 1.4) Type Ia supernova data taken from the Union 2.1 compilation to estimate present values of matter and dark energy parameters, (Ωm)0 and (ΩΛ)0. We have also estimated the present value of Hubble’s constant H0 in light of an updated sample of Hubble parameter measurements including 19 independent data points. The results are found to be in good agreement with recent astrophysical observations. We also calculated various physical parameters such as matter and dark energy densities, present age of the Universe and deceleration parameter. The value for Brans-Dicke-coupling constant ω is set to be 40 000 based on accuracy of solar system tests and recent experimental evidence.

Accelerating dark energy models of the universe in anisotropic Bianchi type space-times and recent observations

Motivated by the increasing evidence for the need of a geometry that resembles Bianchi morphology to explain the observed anisotropy in the WMAP data, we have discussed some features of the Bianchi type universes in the presence of a fluid that wields an anisotropic equation of state (EoS) parameter in general relativity. Such models are of great interest in cosmology in favor of constructing more realistic models than FLRW models with maximally symmetric spatial geometry. Additionally, the interest in such models was promoted in recent years due to the debate that going on the analysis and the interpretation of the WMAP [21, 111, 112] data, whether they need a Bianchi type morphology to be explained successfully [7, 103, 118, 117]. The LLC-WMAP data maps show seven axes well aligned with one another and the direction Virgo. For this reason Bianchi models are important in the study of anisotropies. In the present study of Bianchi type-I, II, III, V and VI 0 space-times, we observe that the EoS for dark energy ω is found to be time-dependent and its existing range for derived models is in good agreement with the recent observations of SNe Ia data [50], SNe Ia data with CMBR anisotropy and galaxy clustering statistics [11] and latest combination of cosmological datasets coming from CMB anisotropies, luminosity distances of high redshift type Ia supernovae and galaxy clustering [21, 51]. It has been suggested that the dark energy that explains the observed accelerating expansion of the universe may arise due to the contribution to the vacuum energy of the EoS in a time dependent background. The cosmological constant Λ is found to be a positive decreasing function of time and it approaches to a small positive value at late time (i.e. the present epoch) which is corroborated by results from recent type Ia supernovae observations.

TYPE Ia SUPERNOVA DISTANCE MODULUS BIAS AND DISPERSION FROMK-CORRECTION ERRORS: A DIRECT MEASUREMENT USING LIGHT CURVE FITS TO OBSERVED SPECTRAL TIME SERIES

We estimate systematic errors due to K-corrections in standard photometric analyses of high redshift Type Ia supernovae. Errors due to K-correction occur when the spectral template model underlying the lightcurve fitter poorly represents the actual supernova spectral energy distribution, meaning that the distance modulus cannot be recovered accurately. In order to quantify this effect, synthetic photometry is performed on artificially redshifted spectrophotometric data from 119 low-redshift supernovae from the Nearby Supernova Factory, and the resulting lightcurves are fit with a conventional lightcurve fitter. We measure the variation in the standardized magnitude that would be fit for a given supernova if located at a range of redshifts and observed with various filter sets corresponding to current and future supernova surveys. We find significant variation in the measurements of the same supernovae placed at different redshifts regardless of filters used, which causes dispersion greater than $\sim0.05$ mag for measurements of photometry using the Sloan-like filters and a bias that corresponds to a $0.03$ shift in $w$ when applied to an outside data set. To test the result of a shift in supernova population or environment at higher redshifts, we repeat our calculations with the addition of a reweighting of the supernovae as a function of redshift and find that this strongly affects the results and would have repercussions for cosmology. We discuss possible methods to reduce the contribution of the K-correction bias and uncertainty.

The Type Ia supernovae rate with Subaru/XMM-Newton Deep Survey

Abstract We present measurements of the rates of high-redshift Type Ia supernovae derived from the Subaru/XMM-Newton Deep Survey (SXDS). We carried out repeated deep imaging observations with Suprime-Cam on the Subaru Telescope, and detected 1040 variable objects over 0.918 deg2 in the Subaru/XMM-Newton Deep Field. From the imaging observations, light curves in the observed i ′ band are constructed for all objects, and we fit the observed light curves with template light curves. Out of the 1040 variable objects detected by the SXDS, 39 objects over the redshift range 0.2 < z < 1.4 are classified as Type Ia supernovae using the light curves. These are among the most distant SN Ia rate measurements to date. We find that the Type Ia supernova rates increase up to z ∼ 0.8 and may then flatten at higher redshift. The rates can be fitted by a simple power law, rV(z) = r0(1 + z)α with $r_0=0.20^{+0.52}_{-0.16}$(stat.)$^{+0.26}_{-0.07}$(syst.) × 10−4 yr−1 Mpc−3, and $\alpha =2.04^{+1.84}_{-1.96}$(stat.)$^{+2.11}_{-0.86}$(syst.).

Improving dark energy constraints with high-redshift Type Ia supernovae from CANDELS and CLASH

Aims. We investigate the degree of improvement in dark energy constraints that can be achieved by extending Type Ia Supernova (SN Ia) samples to redshifts z > 1.5 with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), particularly in the ongoing CANDELS and CLASH multi-cycle treasury programs. Methods. Using the popular CPL parametrization of the dark energy, w = w0 +wa(1-a), we generate mock SN Ia samples that can be projected out to higher redshifts. The synthetic datasets thus generated are fitted to the CPL model, and we evaluate the improvement that a high-z sample can add in terms of ameliorating the statistical and systematic uncertainties on cosmological parameters. Results. In an optimistic but still very achievable scenario, we find that extending the HST sample beyond CANDELS+CLASH to reach a total of 28 SN Ia at z > 1.0 could improve the uncertainty in the wa parameter by up to 21%. The corresponding improvement in the figure of merit (FoM) would be as high as 28%. Finally, we consider the use of high-redshift SN Ia samples to detect non-cosmological evolution in SN Ia luminosities with redshift, finding that such tests could be undertaken by future spacebased infrared surveys using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

Universe Filled with a Binary Mixture of Perfect Fluid and Dark Energy

We consider a self consistent system of Bianchi type-V gravitational field and a binary mixture of perfect fluid and dark energy. The perfect fluid is taken to be the one obeying the usual equation of state, i.e., p=γρ, with γ∈[0,1] whereas, the dark energy is considered to be either the quintessence like equation of state or Chaplygin gas. The equation of state parameter for dark energy ω is found to be consistent with the recent observations of SNe Ia data (Knop et al., Astrophys. J. 598:102, 2003), SNe Ia data with CMBR anisotropy and galaxy clustering statistics (Tegmark et al., Astrophys. J. 606:702, 2004) and latest a combination of cosmological datasets coming from CMB anisotropies, luminosity distances of high redshift type Ia supernovae and galaxy clustering (Hinshaw et al., Astrophys. J. Suppl. 180:225, 2009; Komatsu et al., Astrophys. J. Suppl. Ser. 180:330, 2009). The physical and geometrical aspects of the models are also discussed in detail.

Five dimensional Bianchi type-V cosmological models described by a binary mixture of perfect fluid and dark energy with Λ-term

We have constructed the Bianchi type-V cosmological models with binary mixture of perfect fluid and dark energy in five dimensions. The perfect fluid is taken to be one obeying the usual equation of state p=γρ with γ∈[0,1]. The dark energy is considered to be either the quintessence or the Chaplygin gas. The exact solutions of the Einstein’s field equations are obtained in quadrature form. The equation of state parameter for dark energy ω is found to be consistent with the recent observations of SNe Ia data (Knop et al. in Astrophys. J. 598:102, 2003), SNe Ia data with CMBR anisotropy and galaxy clustering statistics (Tegmark et al. in Astrophys. J. 606:702, 2004b) and latest a combination of cosmological datasets coming from CMB anisotropies, luminosity distances of high redshift type Ia supernovae and galaxy clustering (Hinshaw et al. in Astrophys. J. Suppl. 180:225, 2009; Komatsu et al. in Astrophys. J. Suppl. 180:330, 2009). The cosmological constant Λ is found to be a positive decreasing function of time and it approaches a small positive value at late time (i.e. the present epoch) which is corroborated by results from recent supernovae Ia observations. The physical and geometric aspects of the models are also discussed in detail.

A new class of LRS Bianchi type-II dark energy models with variable EoS parameter

A new class of dark energy models in a Locally Rotationally Symmetric Bianchi type-II (LRS B-II) space-time with variable equation of state (EoS) parameter and constant deceleration parameter have been investigated in the present paper. The Einstein’s field equations have been solved by applying a variation law for generalized Hubble’s parameter given by Berman: Nuovo Cimento 74:182 (1983) which generates two types of solutions for the average scale factor, one is of power-law type and other is of the exponential-law form. Using these two forms, Einstein’s field equations are solved separately that correspond to expanding singular and non-singular models of the universe respectively. The dark energy EoS parameter ω is found to be time dependent and its existing range for both models is in good agreement with the three recent observations of (i) SNe Ia data (Knop et al.: Astrophys. J. 598:102 (2003)), (ii) SNe Ia data collaborated with CMBR anisotropy and galaxy clustering statistics (Tegmark et al.: Astrophys. J. 606:702 (2004)) and latest (iii) a combination of cosmological datasets coming from CMB anisotropies, luminosity distances of high redshift type Ia supernovae and galaxy clustering (Hinshaw et al.: Astrophys. J. Suppl. 180:225 (2009); Komatsu et al. Astrophys. J. Suppl. 180:330 (2009)). The cosmological constant Λ is found to be a positive decreasing function of time and it approaches a small positive value at late time (i.e. the present epoch) which is corroborated by results from recent supernovae Ia observations. The physical and geometric behaviour of the universe have also been discussed in detail.

Bianchi Type-I Anisotropic Dark Energy Model with Constant Deceleration Parameter

A new dark energy model in anisotropic Bianchi type-I (B-I) space-time with time dependent equation of state (EoS) parameter and constant deceleration parameter has been investigated in the present paper. The Einstein’s field equations have been solved by applying a variation law for generalized Hubble’s parameter (Berman in Il Nuovo Cimento B 74:182, 1983) which generates two types of solutions, one is of power-law type and other is of the exponential form. The existing range of the dark energy EoS parameter ω for derived model is found to be in good agreement with the three recent observations (i) SNe Ia data (Knop et al. in Astrophys. J. 598:102, 2003), (ii) SNe Ia data collaborated with CMBR anisotropy and galaxy clustering statistics (Tegmark et al. in Astrophys. J. 606:702, 2004) and (iii) a combination of cosmological datasets coming from CMB anisotropies, luminosity distances of high redshift type Ia supernovae and galaxy clustering (Hinshaw et al. in Astrophys. J. Suppl. Ser. 180:225, 2009 and Komatsu et al. in Astrophys. J. Suppl. Ser. 180:330, 2009). The cosmological constant Λ is found to be a decreasing function of time and it approaches a small positive value at the present epoch which is corroborated by results from recent supernovae Ia observations. It has also been suggested that the dark energy that explains the observed accelerating universe may arise due to the contribution to the vacuum energy of the EoS in a time dependent background. Geometric and kinematic properties of the model and the behaviour of the anisotropy of the dark energy have been carried out.

Variable equation of state for Bianchi type-VI0 dark energy models

We present dark energy models in an anisotropic Bianchi type-VI0 (B-VI0) space-time with a variable equation of state (EoS). The EoS for dark energy ω is found to be time dependent and its existing range for derived models is in good agreement with the recent observations of SNe Ia data (Knop et al. in Astrophys. J. 598:102 2003), SNe Ia data with CMBR anisotropy and galaxy clustering statistics (Tegmark et al. in Astrophys. J. 606:702, 2004b) and latest a combination of cosmological datasets coming from CMB anisotropies, luminosity distances of high redshift type Ia supernovae and galaxy clustering (Hinshaw et al. in Astrophys. J. Suppl. 180:225, 2009; Komatsu et al. in Astrophys. J. Suppl. 180:330, 2009). The cosmological constant Λ is found to be a positive decreasing function of time and it approaches a small positive value at late time (i.e. the present epoch) which is corroborated by results from recent supernovae Ia observations. The physical and geometric aspects of the models are also discussed in detail.

SUPERNOVA CONSTRAINTS AND SYSTEMATIC UNCERTAINTIES FROM THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF THE SUPERNOVA LEGACY SURVEY

We combine high redshift Type Ia supernovae from the first 3 years of the Supernova Legacy Survey (SNLS) with other supernova (SN) samples, primarily at lower redshifts, to form a high-quality joint sample of 472 SNe (123 low-$z$, 93 SDSS, 242 SNLS, and 14 {\it Hubble Space Telescope}). SN data alone require cosmic acceleration at >99.9% confidence, including systematic effects. For the dark energy equation of state parameter (assumed constant out to at least $z=1.4$) in a flat universe, we find $w = -0.91^{+0.16}_{-0.20}(\mathrm{stat}) ^{+0.07}_{-0.14} (\mathrm{sys})$ from SNe only, consistent with a cosmological constant. Our fits include a correction for the recently discovered relationship between host-galaxy mass and SN absolute brightness. We pay particular attention to systematic uncertainties, characterizing them using a systematics covariance matrix that incorporates the redshift dependence of these effects, as well as the shape-luminosity and color-luminosity relationships. Unlike previous work, we include the effects of systematic terms on the empirical light-curve models. The total systematic uncertainty is dominated by calibration terms. We describe how the systematic uncertainties can be reduced with soon to be available improved nearby and intermediate-redshift samples, particularly those calibrated onto USNO/SDSS-like systems.

The Supernova Legacy Survey 3-year sample: Type Ia supernovae photometric distances and cosmological constraints

We present photometric properties and distance measurements of 252 high redshift Type Ia supernovae (0.15 < z < 1.1) discovered during the first three years of the Supernova Legacy Survey (SNLS). These events were detected and their multi-colour light curves measured using the MegaPrime/MegaCam instrument at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), by repeatedly imaging four one-square degree fields in four bands. Follow-up spectroscopy was performed at the VLT, Gemini and Keck telescopes to confirm the nature of the supernovae and to measure their redshifts. Systematic uncertainties arising from light curve modeling are studied, making use of two techniques to derive the peak magnitude, shape and colour of the supernovae, and taking advantage of a precise calibration of the SNLS fields. A flat LambdaCDM cosmological fit to 231 SNLS high redshift Type Ia supernovae alone gives Omega_M = 0.211 +/- 0.034(stat) +/- 0.069(sys). The dominant systematic uncertainty comes from uncertainties in the photometric calibration. Systematic uncertainties from light curve fitters come next with a total contribution of +/- 0.026 on Omega_M. No clear evidence is found for a possible evolution of the slope (beta) of the colour-luminosity relation with redshift.

Weighing dark matter haloes with gravitationally lensed supernovae

High redshift Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are likely to be gravitationally lensed by dark matter haloes of galaxies in the foreground. Since SNe Ia have very small dispersion after light curve shape and colour corrections, their brightness can be used to measure properties of the dark matter haloes via gravitational magnification. We use observations of galaxies and SNe Ia within the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey (GOODS) to measure the relation between galaxy luminosity and dark matter halo mass. The relation we investigate is a scaling law between velocity dispersion and galaxy luminosity in the B-band. The best-fitting values to this relation (velocity dispersion normalisation and exponent) are 136 km/s and 0.27. We find the velocity dispersion normalisation to be less than 190 km/s at the 95 per cent confidence level. This method provides an independent cross-check of measurements of dark matter halo properties from galaxy-galaxy lensing studies. Our results agree with the galaxy-galaxy lensing results, but have much larger uncertainties. The GOODS sample of SNe Ia is relatively small (we include 24 SNe) and the results therefore depend on individual SNe Ia. We have investigated a number of potential systematic effects. Light curve fitting, which affects the inferred brightness of the SNe Ia, appears to be the most important one. Results obtained using different light curve fitting procedures differ at the 68.3 per cent confidence level.