Infrared supernovae in starbursts

The problem of uniquely confirming that the luminosity source of starburst galaxies is a young population of massive stars is considered. Unambiguous detection of the supernova explosion associated with a massive stellar population would provide proof of the starburst hypothesis. High spatial resolution narrow-band infrared imaging of starburst galaxies directly detects the cobalt synthesized in Type II supernova explosions. Coupled with observations of other infrared lines and continuum, progenitor masses can be at least roughly estimated. A statistically large sample of starburst supernovae will lead to an average starburst initial mass function. Standard candles can also be constructed, based on both individual and populations of supernovae. With current and planned instruments, K-band can be found out to cosmological distances. 27 references.