Supernovae are split into different classes, depending on their observed properties - perhaps the most intriguing class being the so-called "Type Ia SNe". In this talk I will review the basic properties of SNe Ia, and their (past and future) importance in establishing the acceleration of the Universe. I will then discuss two recent research directions that shed light on the progenitors. Both of these methods provide support for the so-called “double degenerate” model of SN Ia explosions.