MERLIN monitoring of recent core-collapse supernovae

The star formation rate (SFR) in starburst galaxies can be measured by many methods, one of which is through the supernova rate. Due to the heavy dust obscuration in these galaxies, searches for new supernovae in the optical or infra-red can easily miss events occurring in the central starburst regions. As part of a long term program to estimate the SFR in a sample of nearby starbursts we are using MERLIN and the VLA to regularly observe the galaxies for new radio supernovae. As part of this project, regular MERLIN observations have been made of two recent optically bright supernovae: 2004dj and 2004et. Both supernovae are of Type II and have been monitored frequently over periods of a few months, resulting in well sampled radio "light" curves for both objects.