NUK - logo
E-resources
Peer reviewed Open access
  • The evolution of superlumin...
    Chen, T.-W.; Nicholl, M.; Smartt, S. J.; Mazzali, P. A.; Yates, R. M.; Moriya, T. J.; Inserra, C.; Langer, N.; Krühler, T.; Pan, Y.-C.; Kotak, R.; Galbany, L.; Schady, P.; Wiseman, P.; Greiner, J.; Schulze, S.; Man, A. W. S.; Jerkstrand, A.; Smith, K. W.; Dennefeld, M.; Baltay, C.; Bolmer, J.; Kankare, E.; Knust, F.; Maguire, K.; Rabinowitz, D.; Rostami, S.; Sullivan, M.; Young, D. R.

    Astronomy & astrophysics, 06/2017, Volume: 602
    Journal Article

    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.