ABSTRACT
Normal type Ia supernovae (SNe) are thought to arise from the thermonuclear explosion of massive (>0.8 M⊙) carbon–oxygen white dwarfs (WDs), although the exact mechanism is debated. In some ...models, helium accretion on to a carbon–oxygen (CO) WD from a companion was suggested to dynamically trigger a detonation of the accreted helium shell. The helium detonation then produces a shock that after converging on itself close to the core of the CO WD, triggers a secondary carbon detonation, and gives rise to an energetic explosion. However, most studies of such scenarios have been done in one or two dimensions, and/or did not consider self-consistent models for the accretion and the He donor. Here, we make use of detailed 3D simulation to study the interaction of a He-rich hybrid $0.69\, \mathrm{M_\odot }$ HeCO WD with a more massive $0.8\, \mathrm{M_\odot }$ CO WD. We find that accretion from the hybrid WD on to the CO WD gives rise to a helium detonation. However, the helium detonation does not trigger a carbon detonation in the CO WD. Instead, the helium detonation burns through the accretion stream to also burn the helium shell of the donor hybrid HeCO WD. The detonation of its massive helium shell then compresses its CO core, and triggers its detonation and full destruction. The explosion gives rise to a faint, likely highly reddened transient, potentially observable by the Vera Rubin survey, and the high-velocity ($\sim \! 1000\, \mathrm{km s^{-1}}$) ejection of the heated surviving CO WD companion. Pending on uncertainties in stellar evolution, we estimate the rate of such transient to be up to $\sim \! 10{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the rate of type Ia SNe.
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•Experimental investigation of the slug frequency of various sub-regimes.•Comparison between various methods of slug frequency measurements using differential pressure signals.•A new ...flow map for the sub-regimes distinction was developed.•A new slug frequency correlation for the sub-regimes of the intermittent flow was developed.
Among the intrinsic parameters identified in intermittent gas-liquid flows; slug frequency is known as the most complicated one to model. The present work concerns the investigation of slug frequency for various sub-regimes which might be found in intermittent flow. Experiments, near atmospheric pressure conditions, were carried out in a 13-meter long horizontal pipe with a 30 mm inside diameter. The study involved plug regime, less aerated slug and highly aerated slug flows. Comparison between different methods of slug frequency quantification, from pressure drop signal, was performed with counting, Wilkens & Thomas as well as the Power Spectral Density (PSD) methods. PSD was found to be the best method for slug frequency measurements. A new flow map, using dimensionless numbers as coordinates for the sub-regimes distinction, was established. After performing substantial comparisons between the present results and models available in the literature a new correlation is proposed including the sub-regime types.
Abstract
We present multiwavelength observations of the Type II SN 2020pni. Classified at ∼1.3 days after explosion, the object showed narrow (FWHM intensity <250 km s
−1
) recombination lines of ...ionized helium, nitrogen, and carbon, as typically seen in flash-spectroscopy events. Using the non-LTE radiative transfer code CMFGEN to model our first high-resolution spectrum, we infer a progenitor mass-loss rate of
M
̇
=
(
3.5
–
5.3
)
×
10
−
3
M
⊙
yr
−1
(assuming a wind velocity of
v
w
= 200 km s
−1
), estimated at a radius of
R
in
= 2.5 × 10
14
cm. In addition, we find that the progenitor of SN 2020pni was enriched in helium and nitrogen (relative abundances in mass fractions of 0.30–0.40 and 8.2 × 10
−3
, respectively). Radio upper limits are also consistent with dense circumstellar material (CSM) and a mass-loss rate of
M
̇
>
5
×
10
−
4
M
☉
yr
−
1
. During the initial 4 days after first light, we also observe an increase in velocity of the hydrogen lines (from ∼250 to ∼1000 km s
−1
), suggesting complex CSM. The presence of dense and confined CSM, as well as its inhomogeneous structure, indicates a phase of enhanced mass loss of the progenitor of SN 2020pni during the last year before explosion. Finally, we compare SN 2020pni to a sample of other shock-photoionization events. We find no evidence of correlations among the physical parameters of the explosions and the characteristics of the CSM surrounding the progenitors of these events. This favors the idea that the mass loss experienced by massive stars during their final years could be governed by stochastic phenomena and that, at the same time, the physical mechanisms responsible for this mass loss must be common to a variety of different progenitors.
ABSTRACT
We present observations of SN 2020fqv, a Virgo-cluster type II core-collapse supernova (CCSN) with a high temporal resolution light curve from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite ...(TESS) covering the time of explosion; ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) starting 3.3 d post-explosion; ground-based spectroscopic observations starting 1.1 d post-explosion; along with extensive photometric observations. Massive stars have complicated mass-loss histories leading up to their death as CCSNe, creating circumstellar medium (CSM) with which the SNe interact. Observations during the first few days post-explosion can provide important information about the mass-loss rate during the late stages of stellar evolution. Model fits to the quasi-bolometric light curve of SN 2020fqv reveal 0.23 M⊙ of CSM confined within 1450 R⊙ (1014 cm) from its progenitor star. Early spectra (<4 d post-explosion), both from HST and ground-based observatories, show emission features from high-ionization metal species from the outer, optically thin part of this CSM. We find that the CSM is consistent with an eruption caused by the injection of ∼5 × 1046 erg into the stellar envelope ∼300 d pre-explosion, potentially from a nuclear burning instability at the onset of oxygen burning. Light-curve fitting, nebular spectroscopy, and pre-explosion HST imaging consistently point to a red supergiant (RSG) progenitor with $M_{\rm ZAMS}\approx 13.5\!-\!15 \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$, typical for SN II progenitor stars. This finding demonstrates that a typical RSG, like the progenitor of SN 2020fqv, has a complicated mass-loss history immediately before core collapse.
Context. The mergers of neutron stars (NSs) and white dwarfs (WDs) could give rise to explosive transients, potentially observable with current and future transient surveys. However, the expected ...properties and distribution of such events is not well understood. Aims. Here we characterise the rates of such events, their delay-time distributions, their progenitors, and the distribution of their properties. Methods. We use binary population synthesis models and consider a wide range of initial conditions and physical processes. In particular we consider different common-envelope evolution models and different NS natal kick distributions. We provide detailed predictions arising from each of the models considered. Results. We find that the majority of NS–WD mergers are born in systems in which mass-transfer played an important role, and the WD formed before the NS. For the majority of the mergers the WDs have a carbon-oxygen composition (60−80%) and most of the rest are with oxygen-neon WDs. The time-integrated rates of NS–WD mergers are in the range of 3−15% of the type Ia supernovae (SNe) rate. Their delay-time distribution is very similar to that of type Ia SNe, but is slightly biased towards earlier times. They typically explode in young 100 Myr < τ < 1 Gyr environments, but have a tail distribution extending to long, gigayear-timescales. Models including significant kicks give rise to relatively wide offset distribution extending to hundreds of kiloparsecs. Conclusions. The demographic and physical properties of NS–WD mergers suggest they are likely to be peculiar type Ic-like SNe, mostly exploding in late-type galaxies. Their overall properties could be related to a class of recently observed rapidly evolving SNe, while they are less likely to be related to the class of Ca-rich SNe.
Abstract
We present panchromatic observations and modeling of calcium-strong supernovae (SNe) 2021gno in the star-forming host-galaxy NGC 4165 and 2021inl in the outskirts of elliptical galaxy NGC ...4923, both monitored through the Young Supernova Experiment transient survey. The light curves of both, SNe show two peaks, the former peak being derived from shock cooling emission (SCE) and/or shock interaction with circumstellar material (CSM). The primary peak in SN 2021gno is coincident with luminous, rapidly decaying X-ray emission (
L
x
= 5 × 10
41
erg s
−1
) detected by Swift-XRT at
δ
t
= 1 day after explosion, this observation being the second-ever detection of X-rays from a calcium-strong transient. We interpret the X-ray emission in the context of shock interaction with CSM that extends to
r
< 3 × 10
14
cm. Based on X-ray modeling, we calculate a CSM mass
M
CSM
= (0.3−1.6) × 10
−3
M
⊙
and density
n
= (1−4) × 10
10
cm
−3
. Radio nondetections indicate a low-density environment at larger radii (
r
> 10
16
cm) and mass-loss rate of
M
̇
<
10
−
4
M
⊙
yr
−1
. SCE modeling of both primary light-curve peaks indicates an extended-progenitor envelope mass
M
e
= 0.02−0.05
M
⊙
and radius
R
e
= 30−230
R
⊙
. The explosion properties suggest progenitor systems containing either a low-mass massive star or a white dwarf (WD), the former being unlikely given the lack of local star formation. Furthermore, the environments of both SNe are consistent with low-mass hybrid He/C/O WD + C/O WD mergers.
Context.
The mergers of neutron stars (NSs) and white dwarfs (WDs) could give rise to explosive transients, potentially observable with current and future transient surveys. However, the expected ...properties and distribution of such events is not well understood.
Aims.
Here we characterise the rates of such events, their delay-time distributions, their progenitors, and the distribution of their properties.
Methods.
We use binary population synthesis models and consider a wide range of initial conditions and physical processes. In particular we consider different common-envelope evolution models and different NS natal kick distributions. We provide detailed predictions arising from each of the models considered.
Results.
We find that the majority of NS–WD mergers are born in systems in which mass-transfer played an important role, and the WD formed before the NS. For the majority of the mergers the WDs have a carbon-oxygen composition (60−80%) and most of the rest are with oxygen-neon WDs. The time-integrated rates of NS–WD mergers are in the range of 3−15% of the type Ia supernovae (SNe) rate. Their delay-time distribution is very similar to that of type Ia SNe, but is slightly biased towards earlier times. They typically explode in young 100 Myr <
τ
< 1 Gyr environments, but have a tail distribution extending to long, gigayear-timescales. Models including significant kicks give rise to relatively wide offset distribution extending to hundreds of kiloparsecs.
Conclusions.
The demographic and physical properties of NS–WD mergers suggest they are likely to be peculiar type Ic-like SNe, mostly exploding in late-type galaxies. Their overall properties could be related to a class of recently observed rapidly evolving SNe, while they are less likely to be related to the class of Ca-rich SNe.
Abstract
We present panchromatic observations and modeling of supernova (SN) 2020tlf, the first normal Type II-P/L SN with confirmed precursor emission, as detected by the Young Supernova Experiment ...transient survey. Pre-SN activity was detected in
riz
-bands at −130 days and persisted at relatively constant flux until first light. Soon after discovery, “flash” spectroscopy of SN 2020tlf revealed narrow, symmetric emission lines that resulted from the photoionization of circumstellar material (CSM) shed in progenitor mass-loss episodes before explosion. Surprisingly, this novel display of pre-SN emission and associated mass loss occurred in a red supergiant (RSG) progenitor with zero-age main-sequence mass of only 10–12
M
⊙
, as inferred from nebular spectra. Modeling of the light curve and multi-epoch spectra with the non-LTE radiative-transfer code CMFGEN and radiation-hydrodynamical code HERACLES suggests a dense CSM limited to
r
≈ 10
15
cm, and mass-loss rate of 10
−2
M
⊙
yr
−1
. The luminous light-curve plateau and persistent blue excess indicates an extended progenitor, compatible with an RSG model with
R
⋆
= 1100
R
⊙
. Limits on the shock-powered X-ray and radio luminosity are consistent with model conclusions and suggest a CSM density of
ρ
< 2 × 10
−16
g cm
−3
for distances from the progenitor star of
r
≈ 5 × 10
15
cm, as well as a mass-loss rate of
M
̇
<
1.3
×
10
−
5
M
☉
yr
−
1
at larger distances. A promising power source for the observed precursor emission is the ejection of stellar material following energy disposition into the stellar envelope as a result of gravity waves emitted during either neon/oxygen burning or a nuclear flash from silicon combustion.
ABSTRACT
We present optical and near-infrared (NIR) observations of the Type Icn supernova (SN Icn) 2022ann, the fifth member of its newly identified class of SNe. Its early optical spectra are ...dominated by narrow carbon and oxygen P-Cygni features with absorption velocities of ∼800 km s−1; slower than other SNe Icn and indicative of interaction with a dense, H/He-poor circumstellar medium (CSM) that is outflowing slower than typical Wolf–Rayet wind velocities of >1000 km s−1. We identify helium in NIR spectra 2 weeks after maximum and in optical spectra at 3 weeks, demonstrating that the CSM is not fully devoid of helium. Unlike other SNe Icn, the spectra of SN 2022ann never develop broad features from SN ejecta, including in the nebular phase. Compared to other SNe Icn, SN 2022ann has a low luminosity (o-band absolute magnitude of ∼−17.7), and evolves slowly. The bolometric light curve is well-modelled by 4.8 M⊙ of SN ejecta interacting with 1.3 M⊙ of CSM. We place an upper limit of 0.04 M⊙ of 56Ni synthesized in the explosion. The host galaxy is a dwarf galaxy with a stellar mass of 107.34 M⊙ (implied metallicity of log(Z/Z⊙) ≈ 0.10) and integrated star-formation rate of log (SFR) = −2.20 M⊙ yr−1; both lower than 97 per cent of galaxies observed to produce core-collapse supernovae, although consistent with star-forming galaxies on the galaxy Main Sequence. The low CSM velocity, nickel and ejecta masses, and likely low-metallicity environment disfavour a single Wolf–Rayet progenitor star. Instead, a binary companion is likely required to adequately strip the progenitor and produce a low-velocity outflow.
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