HST obs. of Mira variables in the SNIa host NGC1559

This is the first dedicated search for Miras, highly evolved low-mass stars, in an SNIa host, and subsequently the first calibration of the SN Ia luminosity using Miras in a role historically played by Cepheids. We identify a sample of 115 O-rich Miras with P<400days based on their light-curve properties.

We find that the scatter in the Mira period-luminosity relation (PLR) is comparable to Cepheid PLRs seen in SN Ia host galaxies. Using a sample of O-rich Miras discovered in NGC 4258 with HSTF160W and its maser distance, we measure a distance modulus for NGC1559 of {mu}_1559_=31.41+/-0.050(statistical)+/-0.060(systematic)mag. Based on the light curve of the normal, well-observed, low-reddening SN 2005df, we obtain a measurement of the fiducial SN Ia absolute magnitude of M_B_^0^=-19.27+/-0.13mag.