Abstract
We report observations of the optical counterpart of the long gamma-ray burst (GRB) GRB 230812B and its associated supernova (SN) SN 2023pel. The proximity (
z
= 0.36) and high energy (
E
γ
...,iso
∼ 10
53
erg) make it an important event to study as a probe of the connection between massive star core collapse and relativistic jet formation. With a phenomenological power-law model for the optical afterglow, we find a late-time flattening consistent with the presence of an associated SN. SN 2023pel has an absolute peak
r
-band magnitude of
M
r
= −19.46 ± 0.18 mag (about as bright as SN 1998bw) and evolves on quicker timescales. Using a radioactive heating model, we derive a nickel mass powering the SN of
M
Ni
= 0.38 ± 0.01
M
⊙
and a peak bolometric luminosity of
L
bol
∼ 1.3 × 10
43
erg s
−1
. We confirm SN 2023pel’s classification as a broad-line Type Ic SN with a spectrum taken 15.5 days after its peak in the
r
band and derive a photospheric expansion velocity of
v
ph
= 11,300 ± 1600 km s
−1
at that phase. Extrapolating this velocity to the time of maximum light, we derive the ejecta mass
M
ej
= 1.0 ± 0.6
M
⊙
and kinetic energy
E
KE
=
1.3
−
1.2
+
3.3
×
10
51
erg
. We find that GRB 230812B/SN 2023pel has SN properties that are mostly consistent with the overall GRB-SN population. The lack of correlations found in the GRB-SN population between SN brightness and
E
γ
,iso
for their associated GRBs across a broad range of 7 orders of magnitude provides further evidence that the central engine powering the relativistic ejecta is not coupled to the SN powering mechanism in GRB-SN systems.
We present a direct and very fast calculation of the low frequency tail of the spectral density of thermal noise due to the thermal motion of matter in the cylindrical mirrors generally used in ...gravitational wave interferometric detectors. This calculation is based on the method recently proposed by Levin, that we extend to the case of finite mirrors, allowing one to study the aspect ratio dependence of the noise. Results are found in good agreement with those found in heavier preceding approaches, and provide a useful cross-check.
Trying to detect the gravitational wave (GW) signal emitted by a type II supernova is a main challenge for the GW community. Indeed, the corresponding waveform is not accurately modeled as the ...supernova physics is very complex; in addition, all the existing numerical simulations agree on the weakness of the GW emission, thus restraining the number of sources potentially detectable. Consequently, triggering the GW signal with a confidence level high enough to conclude directly to a detection is very difficult, even with the use of a network of interferometric detectors. On the other hand, one can hope to take benefit from the neutrino and optical emissions associated to the supernova explosion, in order to discover and study GW radiation in an event already detected independently. This article aims at presenting some realistic scenarios for the search of the supernova GW bursts, based on the present knowledge of the emitted signals and on the results of network data analysis simulations. Both the direct search and the confirmation of the supernova event are considered. In addition, some physical studies following the discovery of a supernova GW emission are also mentioned: from the absolute neutrino mass to the supernova physics or the black hole signature, the potential spectrum of discoveries is wide.
The first generation of gravitational wave interferometric detectors have taken data at, or close to, their design sensitivity. This data has been searched for a broad range of gravitational wave ...signatures. An overview of gravitational wave search methods and results are presented. Searches for gravitational waves from unmodelled burst sources, compact binary coalescences, continuous wave sources and stochastic backgrounds are discussed.