ABSTRACT
At 66 Mpc, AT2019qiz is the closest optical tidal disruption event (TDE) to date, with a luminosity intermediate between the bulk of the population and the faint-and-fast event iPTF16fnl. ...Its proximity allowed a very early detection and triggering of multiwavelength and spectroscopic follow-up well before maximum light. The velocity dispersion of the host galaxy and fits to the TDE light curve indicate a black hole mass ≈106 M⊙, disrupting a star of ≈1 M⊙. By analysing our comprehensive UV, optical, and X-ray data, we show that the early optical emission is dominated by an outflow, with a luminosity evolution L ∝ t2, consistent with a photosphere expanding at constant velocity (≳2000 km s−1), and a line-forming region producing initially blueshifted H and He ii profiles with v = 3000–10 000 km s−1. The fastest optical ejecta approach the velocity inferred from radio detections (modelled in a forthcoming companion paper from K. D. Alexander et al.), thus the same outflow may be responsible for both the fast optical rise and the radio emission – the first time this connection has been observed in a TDE. The light-curve rise begins 29 ± 2 d before maximum light, peaking when the photosphere reaches the radius where optical photons can escape. The photosphere then undergoes a sudden transition, first cooling at constant radius then contracting at constant temperature. At the same time, the blueshifts disappear from the spectrum and Bowen fluorescence lines (N iii) become prominent, implying a source of far-UV photons, while the X-ray light curve peaks at ≈1041 erg s−1. Assuming that these X-rays are from prompt accretion, the size and mass of the outflow are consistent with the reprocessing layer needed to explain the large optical to X-ray ratio in this and other optical TDEs, possibly favouring accretion-powered over collision-powered outflow models.
We present the one-year long observing campaign of SN 2012A which exploded in the nearby (9.8 Mpc) irregular galaxy NGC 3239. The photometric evolution is that of a normal Type IIP supernova, but the ...plateau is shorter and the luminosity not as constant as in other supernovae of this type. The absolute maximum magnitude, with M
B
= −16.23 ± 0.16 mag, is close to the average for SN IIP. Thanks also to the strong UV flux in the early phase, SN 2012A reached a peak luminosity of about 2 × 1042 erg s−1, which is brighter than those of other SNe with a similar 56Ni mass. The latter was estimated from the luminosity in the exponential tail of the light curve and found to be M(56Ni) = 0.011 ± 0.004 M, which is intermediate between standard and faint SN IIP. The spectral evolution of SN 2012A is also typical of SN IIP, from the early spectra dominated by a blue continuum and very broad (∼104 km s−1) Balmer lines, to the late-photospheric spectra characterized by prominent P-Cygni features of metal lines (Fe ii, Sc ii, Ba ii, Ti ii, Ca ii, Na i D). The photospheric velocity is moderately low, ∼3 × 103 km s−1 at 50 d, for the low optical depth metal lines. The nebular spectrum obtained 394 d after the shock breakout shows the typical features of SNe IIP and the strength of the O i doublet suggests a progenitor of intermediate mass, similar to SN 2004et (∼15 M). A candidate progenitor for SN 2012A has been identified in deep, pre-explosion K
′-band Gemini North Near-InfraRed Imager and Spectrometer images, and found to be consistent with a star with a bolometric magnitude −7.08 ± 0.36 (log L/L = 4.73 ± 0.14 dex). The magnitude of the recovered progenitor in archival images points towards a moderate-mass
star as the precursor of SN 2012A. The explosion parameters and progenitor mass were also estimated by means of a hydrodynamical model, fitting the bolometric light curve, the velocity and the temperature evolution. We found a best fit for a kinetic energy of 0.48 foe, an initial radius of 1.8 × 1013 cm and ejecta mass of 12.5 M. Even including the mass for the compact remnant, this appears fully consistent with the direct measurements given above.
Context. We present the second part of an optical spectroscopic study of planetary nebulae in the LMC and SMC. The first paper, Leisy & Dennefeld (1996, A&AS, 116, 96), discussed the CNO cycle for ...those objects where C abundances were available. Aims. In this paper we concentrate more on other elemental abundances (such as O, Ne, S, Ar) and their implications for the evolution of the progenitor stars. Methods. We use a much larger sample of 183 objects, of which 65 are our own observations, where the abundances have been re-derived in a homogeneous way. For 156 of them, the quality of data is considered to be satisfactory for further analysis. Results. We confirm the difficulty of separating type I and non-type-I objects in the classical He-N/O diagram, as found in Paper I, a problem reinforced by the variety of initial compositions for the progenitor stars. We observed oxygen variations, either depletion via the ON cycle in the more massive progenitor stars, or oxygen production in other objects. Neon production also appears to be present. These enrichments seem to be explained best by recent models, some including overshooting, where fresh material from the core or from burning shells is brought to the surface by the 3rd dredge- up. All the effects appear stronger in the SMC, suggesting a higher efficiency in a low metallicity environment, either because the reaction itself is more efficient or because the increment is more visible when superposed on a low initial quantity. Conclusions. Neither oxygen nor neon can therefore be used to derive the initial composition of the progenitor star: other elements not affected by processing such as sulfur, argon or, if observed, chlorine, have to be preferred for this purpose. Some objects with very low initial abundances are detected, but on average, the spatial distribution of PNe abundances is consistent with the history of star formation (SF) as derived from field stars in both Clouds.
We present and analyse an extensive dataset of the superluminous supernova (SLSN) LSQ14mo (z = 0.256), consisting of a multi-colour light curve from −30 d to +70 d in the rest-frame (relative to ...maximum light) and a series of six spectra from PESSTO covering −7 d to +50 d. This is among the densest spectroscopic coverage, and best-constrained rising light curve, for a fast-declining hydrogen-poor SLSN. The bolometric light curve can be reproduced with a millisecond magnetar model with ~ 4 M⊙ ejecta mass, and the temperature and velocity evolution is also suggestive of a magnetar as the power source. Spectral modelling indicates that the SN ejected ~ 6 M⊙ of CO-rich material with a kinetic energy of ~7 × 1051 erg, and suggests a partially thermalised additional source of luminosity between −2 d and +22 d. This may be due to interaction with a shell of material originating from pre-explosion mass loss. We further present a detailed analysis of the host galaxy system of LSQ14mo. PESSTO and GROND imaging show three spatially resolved bright regions, and we used the VLT and FORS2 to obtain a deep (five-hour exposure) spectra of the SN position and the three star-forming regions, which are at a similar redshift. The FORS2 spectrum at + 300 days shows no trace of SN emission lines and we place limits on the strength of O i from comparisons with other Ic supernovae. The deep spectra provides a unique chance to investigate spatial variations in the host star-formation activity and metallicity. The specific star-formation rate is similar in all three components,as is the presence of a young stellar population. However, the position of LSQ14mo exhibits a lower metallicity, with 12 + log (O/H) = 8.2 in both the R23 and N2 scales (corresponding to ~0.3 Z⊙ ). We propose that the three bright regions in the host system are interacting, which could induce gas flows triggering star formation in low-metallicity regions.
Supernova (SN) 2015bh (or SNhunt275) was discovered in NGC 2770 on 2015 February with an absolute magnitude of Mr ~ -13.4 mag, and was initially classified as an SN impostor. Here, we present the ...photometric and spectroscopic evolution of SN 2015bh from discovery to late phases (~1 yr after). In addition, we inspect archival images of the host galaxy up to ~21 yr before discovery, finding a burst ~1 yr before discovery, and further signatures of stellar instability until late 2014. Later on, the luminosity of the transient slowly increases, and a broad light-curve peak is reached after about three months. We propose that the transient discovered in early 2015 could be a core-collapse SN explosion. The pre-SN luminosity variability history, the long-lasting rise and faintness first light-curve peak suggests that the progenitor was a very massive, unstable and blue star, which exploded as a faint SN because of severe fallback of material. Later on, the object experiences a sudden brightening of 3 mag, which results from the interaction of the SN ejecta with circumstellar material formed through repeated past mass-loss events. Spectroscopic signatures of interaction are however visible at all epochs. A similar chain of events was previously proposed for the similar interacting SN 2009ip.
We present an analysis of a new sample of type II core-collapse supernovae (SNe II) occurring within low-luminosity galaxies, comparing these with a sample of events in brighter hosts. Our analysis ...is performed comparing SN II spectral and photometric parameters and estimating the influence of metallicity (inferred from host luminosity differences) on SN II transient properties. We measure the SN absolute magnitude at maximum, the light-curve plateau duration, the optically thick duration, and the plateau decline rate in the V band, together with expansion velocities and pseudo-equivalent-widths (pEWs) of several absorption lines in the SN spectra. For the SN host galaxies, we estimate the absolute magnitude and the stellar mass, a proxy for the metallicity of the host galaxy. SNe II exploding in low-luminosity galaxies display weaker pEWs of $$\rm{Fe\,\small{II}}$$ λ5018, confirming the theoretical prediction that metal lines in SN II spectra should correlate with metallicity. We also find that SNe II in low-luminosity hosts have generally slower declining light curves and display weaker absorption lines. We find no relationship between the plateau duration or the expansion velocities with SN environment, suggesting that the hydrogen envelope mass and the explosion energy are not correlated with the metallicity of the host galaxy. This result supports recent predictions that mass-loss for red supergiants is independent of metallicity.
Aims. We present results from optical photometric and spectroscopic observations of the eruptive pre-main sequence star V582 Aur. Variability of the star was reported a few years ago when it was ...suspected as a possible FU Orionis object. Due to the small number of currently known FUors, a new object of this type is ideal target for follow-up photometric and spectroscopic observations. Methods. We carried out BVRI CCD photometric observations in the field of V582 Aur from 2009 August to 2013 February. We acquired high-, medium-, and low-resolution spectroscopy of V582 Aur during this period. To study the pre-outburst variability of the target and construct its historical light curve, we searched for archival observations in photographic plate collections. Both CCD and photographic observations were analyzed using a sequence of 14 stars in the field of V582 Aur calibrated in BVRI. Results. The pre-outburst photographic observations of V582 Aur show low-amplitude light variations typical of T Tauri stars. Archival photographic observations indicate that the increase in brightness began in late 1984 or early 1985 and the star reached the maximum level of brightness at 1986 January. The spectral type of V582 Aur can be defined as G0I with strong P Cyg profiles of Hα and Na I D lines, which are typical of FU Orionis objects. Our BVRI photometric observations show large amplitude variations (ΔV ~ 2m.8) during the 3.5 year period of observations. Most of the time, however, the star remains in a state close to the maximum brightness. The deepest drop in brightness was observed in the spring of 2012, when the brightness of the star fell to a level close to the pre-outburst. The multicolor photometric data show a color reversal during the minimum in brightness, which is typical of UX Ori variables. The corresponding spectral observations show strong variability in the profiles and intensities of the spectral lines (especially Hα), which indicate significant changes in the accretion rate. On the basis of photometric monitoring performed over the past three years, the spectral properties of the maximal light, and the shape of the long-term light curve, we confirm the affiliation of V582 Aur to the group of FU Orionis objects.
We present spectroscopic and photometric observations for the Type Ibn supernova (SN) dubbed PSN J07285387+3349106. Using data provided by amateur astronomers, we monitored the photometric rise of ...the SN to maximum light, occurred on 2015 February 18.8 ut (JDmax(V) = 245 7072.0 ± 0.8). PSN J07285387+3349106 exploded in the inner region of an infrared luminous galaxy, and is the most reddened SN Ibn discovered so far. We apply multiple methods to derive the total reddening to the SN, and determine a total colour excess E(B − V)tot = 0.99 ± 0.48 mag. Accounting for the reddening correction, which is affected by a large uncertainty, we estimate a peak absolute magnitude of M
V
= −20.30 ± 1.50. The spectra are dominated by continuum emission at early phases, and He i lines with narrow P-Cygni profiles are detected. We also identify weak Fe iii and N ii features. All these lines show an absorption component which is blueshifted by about 900–1000 km s−1. The spectra also show relatively broad He i line wings with low contrast, which extend to above 3000 km s−1. From about two weeks past maximum, broad lines of O i, Mg ii and the Ca ii near-infrared triplet are identified. The composition and the expansion velocity of the circumstellar material, and the presence of He i and α-elements in the SN ejecta indicate that PSN J07285387+3349106 was produced by the core collapse of a stripped-envelope star. We suggest that the precursor was WNE-type Wolf–Rayet star in its dense, He-rich circumstellar cocoon.
Context. Multi-purpose InSTRument for Astronomy at Low-resolution (MISTRAL) is the new Faint Object Spectroscopic Camera mounted at the folded Cassegrain focus of the 1.93 m telescope of the ...Haute-Provence Observatory (OHP). Aims. We describe the design and components of the instrument and give some details about its operation. Methods. We emphasize in particular the various observing modes and the performance of the detector. A short description of the working environment is also provided. Various types of objects, including stars, nebulae, comets, novae, and galaxies, have been observed during various test phases to evaluate the performance of the instrument. Results. The instrument covers the range of 4000-8000 Å with the blue setting, or from 6000 to 10 000 Å with the red setting, at an average spectral resolution of 700. Its peak efficiency is about 22% at 6000 Å. In spectroscopy, a limiting magnitude of r ~ 19.5 can be achieved for a point source in one hour with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 in the continuum (and better when emission lines are present). In imaging mode, limiting magnitudes of 20–21 can be obtained in 10–20 mn (with average seeing conditions of 2.5 arcsec at the OHP). The instrument is very user-friendly and can be put into operations in less than 15 mn (rapid change-over from the other instrument in use) if required by the science (e.g. for gamma-ray bursts). Some first scientific results are described for various types of objects, and in particular, for the follow-up of gamma-ray bursts. Conclusions. While some further improvements are still under way, in particular, to facilitate the switch from blue to red setting and add more grisms or filters, MISTRAL is ready for the follow-up of transients and other variable objects, in the soon-to-come era of the Space-based multi-band astronomical Variable Objects Monitor satellite and of the Rubin telescope, for instance.
The ESA-Gaia satellite is regularly producing Alerts on objects where photometric variability has been detected after several passages over the same region of the sky. The physical nature of these ...objects has often to be determined with the help of complementary observations from ground-based facilities. We have compared the list of Gaia Alerts (from the beginning in 2014 to Nov. 1st, 2018) with archival LAMOST and SDSS spectroscopic data. A search radius of 3″ has been adopted. In using survey data, the date of the ground-based observation rarely corresponds to the date of the Alert, but this allows at least the identification of the source if it is persistent, or the host galaxy if the object was only transient like a supernova (SN). Some of the objects have several LAMOST observations, and we complemented this search by adding also SDSS DR15 data in order to look for long-term variability. A list of Gaia Nuclear Transients (GNT) from Kostrzewa-Rutkowska et al. (Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 481(1):307,
2018
) has been included in this search also. We found 26 Gaia Alerts with spectra in LAMOST+SDSS labelled as stars, among which 12 have multi-epoch spectra. A majority of them are Cataclysmic Variables (CVs). Similarly, 206 Gaia Alerts have associated spectra labelled as galaxies, among which 49 have multi-epoch spectra. Those spectra were generally obtained on a date widely different from the Alert date, and are mostly emission-line galaxies with no particularity (except a few Seyferts), leading to the suspicion that most of the Alerts were due to a SN. As for the GNT list, we found 55 associated spectra labelled as galaxies, among them 13 with multi-epoch spectra. In these two galaxy samples, in only two cases, Gaia17aal and GNTJ170213+2543, was the date of the spectroscopic observation close enough to the Alert date: we find a trace of the SN itself in their LAMOST spectrum, both being now classified here as a type Ia SN. Compared to the galaxy sample from the Gaia alerts, the GNT sample has a higher proportion of AGNs, suggesting that some of the detected variations are also due to the AGN itself. Similarly for Quasars, we found only 30 Gaia Alerts but 68 GNT cases associated with single epoch quasar spectra in the databases. In addition to those, 12 plus 23 are quasars where multi-epoch spectra are available. For ten out of these 35, their multi-epoch spectra show appearance or disappearance of the broad Balmer lines and also variations in the continuum, qualifying them as “Changing Look Quasars” and therefore significantly increasing the available sample of such objects.
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