Spectrophotometric time series of SN 2011fe from the Nearby Supernova
  Factory
  We present 32 epochs of optical (3300-9700 \AA) spectrophotometric
observations of the nearby quintessential "normal" type Ia supernova (SN Ia) SN
2011fe in the galaxy M101, extending from -15 to +97 d with respect to B-band
maximum, obtained by the Nearby Supernova Factory collaboration. SN 2011fe is
the closest (\mu = 29.04) and brightest (Bmax = 9.94 mag) SN Ia observed since
the advent of modern large scale programs for the intensive periodic followup
of supernovae. Both synthetic light curve measurements and spectral feature
analysis attest to the normality of SN 2011fe. There is very little evidence
for reddening in its host galaxy. The homogeneous calibration, intensive time
sampling, and high signal-to-noise ratio of the data set make it unique. Thus
it is ideal for studying the physics of SN Ia explosions in detail, and for
furthering the use of SNe Ia as standardizable candles for cosmology. Several
such applications are shown, from the creation of a bolometric light curve and
measurement of the 56Ni mass, to the simulation of detection thresholds for
unburned carbon, direct comparisons with other SNe Ia, and existing spectral
templates.
