Extended optical and near-IR observations reveal that SN 2009dc shares a number of similarities with normal Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), but is clearly overluminous, with a (pseudo-bolometric) peak ...luminosity of log (L) = 43.47 (erg s−1). Its light curves decline slowly over half a year after maximum light Δm
15(B)true= 0.71, and the early-time near-IR light curves show secondary maxima, although the minima between the first and the second peaks are not very pronounced. The bluer bands exhibit an enhanced fading after ∼200 d, which might be caused by dust formation or an unexpectedly early IR catastrophe. The spectra of SN 2009dc are dominated by intermediate-mass elements and unburned material at early times, and by iron-group elements at late phases. Strong C ii lines are present until ∼2 weeks past maximum, which is unprecedented in thermonuclear SNe. The ejecta velocities are significantly lower than in normal and even subluminous SNe Ia. No signatures of interaction with a circumstellar medium (CSM) are found in the spectra. Assuming that the light curves are powered by radioactive decay, analytic modelling suggests that SN 2009dc produced ∼1.8 M⊙ of 56Ni assuming the smallest possible rise time of 22 d. Together with a derived total ejecta mass of ∼2.8 M⊙, this confirms that SN 2009dc is a member of the class of possible super-Chandrasekhar-mass SNe Ia similar to SNe 2003fg, 2006gz and 2007if. A study of the hosts of SN 2009dc and other superluminous SNe Ia reveals a tendency of these SNe to explode in low-mass galaxies. A low metallicity of the progenitor may therefore be an important prerequisite for producing superluminous SNe Ia. We discuss a number of possible explosion scenarios, ranging from super-Chandrasekhar-mass white-dwarf progenitors over dynamical white-dwarf mergers and Type I
SNe to a core-collapse origin of the explosion. None of the models seems capable of explaining all properties of SN 2009dc, so that the true nature of this SN and its peers remains nebulous.
Ultraviolet, optical and near-infrared observations of the Type IIP supernova (SN) 2007od, covering from maximum light to late phases, allow detailed investigation of different physical phenomena in ...the expanding ejecta. These data turn this object into one of the most peculiar SNe IIP ever studied. The early light curve of SN 2007od is similar to that of a bright IIP, with a short plateau, a bright peak (MV
=−18 mag), but a very faint late-time optical light curve. However, with the inclusion of mid-IR observations during the radioactive tail, we derive an ejected mass of 56Ni of M(56Ni) ∼2 × 10−2 M⊙. By modelling the bolometric light curve, ejecta expansion velocities and blackbody temperature, we estimate a total ejected mass of 5-7.5 M⊙ with a kinetic energy of at least 0.5 × 1051 erg. The early spectra reveal a boxy Hα profile and high-velocity features of the Balmer series that suggest the possible interaction of the ejecta with a close circumstellar matter (CSM). The interaction with the CSM and the presence of dust formed inside the ejecta are evident in the late-time spectra. The episodes of mass-loss shortly before explosion, the bright plateau, the relatively small amount of 56Ni and the faint O i emission observed in the nebular spectra are consistent with a super-asymptotic giant branch progenitor (M∼ 9.7-11 M⊙).
We present adaptive optics imaging of the core-collapse supernova (SN) 2009md, which we use together with archival Hubble Space Telescope data to identify a coincident progenitor candidate. We find ...the progenitor to have an absolute magnitude of V=−4.63+0.3
−0.4 mag and a colour of V−I= 2.29+0.25
−0.39 mag, corresponding to a progenitor luminosity of log L/L⊙∼ 4.54 ± 0.19 dex. Using the stellar evolution code STARS, we find this to be consistent with a red supergiant progenitor with M= 8.5+6.5
−1.5 M⊙. The photometric and spectroscopic evolution of SN 2009md is similar to that of the class of sub-luminous Type IIP SNe; in this paper we compare the evolution of SN 2009md primarily to that of the sub-luminous SN 2005cs. We estimate the mass of 56Ni ejected in the explosion to be (5.4 ± 1.3) × 10−3 M⊙ from the luminosity on the radioactive tail, which is in agreement with the low 56Ni masses estimated for other sub-luminous Type IIP SNe. From the light curve and spectra, we show the SN explosion had a lower energy and ejecta mass than the normal Type IIP SN 1999em. We discuss problems with stellar evolutionary models, and the discrepancy between low observed progenitor luminosities (log L/L⊙∼4.3-5 dex) and model luminosities after the second dredge-up for stars in this mass range, and consider an enhanced carbon burning rate as a possible solution. In conclusion, SN 2009md is a faint SN arising from the collapse of a progenitor close to the lower mass limit for core collapse. This is now the third discovery of a low-mass progenitor star producing a low-energy explosion and low 56Ni ejected mass, which indicates that such events arise from the lowest end of the mass range that produces a core-collapse SN (7-8 M⊙).
We present new spectroscopic and photometric data of the Type Ibn supernovae 2006jc, 2000er and 2002ao. We discuss the general properties of this recently proposed supernova family, which also ...includes SN 1999cq. The early-time monitoring of SN 2000er traces the evolution of this class of objects during the first few days after the shock breakout. An overall similarity in the photometric and spectroscopic evolution is found among the members of this group, which would be unexpected if the energy in these core-collapse events was dominated by the interaction between supernova ejecta and circumstellar medium. Type Ibn supernovae appear to be rather normal Type Ib/c supernova explosions which occur within a He-rich circumstellar environment. SNe Ibn are therefore likely produced by the explosion of Wolf–Rayet progenitors still embedded in the He-rich material lost by the star in recent mass-loss episodes, which resemble known luminous blue variable eruptions. The evolved Wolf–Rayet star could either result from the evolution of a very massive star or be the more evolved member of a massive binary system. We also suggest that there are a number of arguments in favour of a Type Ibn classification for the historical SN 1885A (S-Andromedae), previously considered as an anomalous Type Ia event with some resemblance to SN 1991bg.
The first 2 months of spectroscopic and photometric monitoring of the nearby Type Ic SN 2007gr are presented. The very early discovery (less than 5 days after the explosion) and the relatively short ...distance of the host galaxy motivated an extensive observational campaign. SN 2007gr shows an average peak luminosity but unusually narrow spectral lines and an almost flat photospheric velocity profile. The detection of prominent carbon features in the spectra is shown and suggests a wide range in carbon abundance in stripped-envelope supernovae. SN 2007gr may be an important piece in the puzzle of the observed diversity of CC SNe.
The death of massive stars produces a variety of supernovae, which are linked to the structure of the exploding stars. The detection of several precursor stars of type II supernovae has been reported ...(see, for example, ref. 3), but we do not yet have direct information on the progenitors of the hydrogen-deficient type Ib and Ic supernovae. Here we report that the peculiar type Ib supernova SN 2006jc is spatially coincident with a bright optical transient that occurred in 2004. Spectroscopic and photometric monitoring of the supernova leads us to suggest that the progenitor was a carbon-oxygen Wolf-Rayet star embedded within a helium-rich circumstellar medium. There are different possible explanations for this pre-explosion transient. It appears similar to the giant outbursts of luminous blue variable stars (LBVs) of 60-100 solar masses, but the progenitor of SN 2006jc was helium- and hydrogen-deficient (unlike LBVs). An LBV-like outburst of a Wolf-Rayet star could be invoked, but this would be the first observational evidence of such a phenomenon. Alternatively, a massive binary system composed of an LBV that erupted in 2004, and a Wolf-Rayet star exploding as SN 2006jc, could explain the observations.
We present comprehensive photometric and spectroscopic observations of the faint transient SN 2008S discovered in the nearby galaxy NGC 6946. SN 2008S exhibited slow photometric evolution and almost ...no spectral variability during the first nine months, implying a long photon diffusion time and a high-density circumstellar medium. Its bolometric luminosity (≃1041 erg s−1 at peak) is low with respect to most core-collapse supernovae but is comparable to the faintest Type II-P events. Our quasi-bolometric light curve extends to 300 d and shows a tail phase decay rate consistent with that of 56Co. We propose that this is evidence for an explosion and formation of 56Ni (0.0014 ± 0.0003 M⊙). Spectra of SN 2008S show intense emission lines of Hα, Ca ii doublet and Ca ii near-infrared (NIR) triplet, all without obvious P-Cygni absorption troughs. The large mid-infrared (MIR) flux detected shortly after explosion can be explained by a light echo from pre-existing dust. The late NIR flux excess is plausibly due to a combination of warm newly formed ejecta dust together with shock-heated dust in the circumstellar environment. We reassess the progenitor object detected previously in Spitzer archive images, supplementing this discussion with a model of the MIR spectral energy distribution. This supports the idea of a dusty, optically thick shell around SN 2008S with an inner radius of nearly 90 au and outer radius of 450 au, and an inferred heating source of 3000 K. The luminosity of the central star is L≃ 104.6 L⊙. All the nearby progenitor dust was likely evaporated in the explosion leaving only the much older dust lying further out in the circumstellar environment. The combination of our long-term multiwavelength monitoring data and the evidence from the progenitor analysis leads us to support the scenario of a weak electron-capture supernova explosion in a super-asymptotic giant branch progenitor star (of initial mass 6–8 M⊙) embedded within a thick circumstellar gaseous envelope. We suggest that all of main properties of the electron-capture SN phenomenon are observed in SN 2008S and future observations may allow a definitive answer.
Extensive optical and near-infrared (NIR) observations of the Type IIb supernova (SN IIb) 2008ax are presented, covering the first year after the explosion. The light curve is mostly similar in shape ...to that of the prototypical SN IIb 1993J, but shows a slightly faster decline rate at late phases and lacks the prominent narrow early-time peak of SN 1993J. From the bolometric light curve and ejecta expansion velocities, we estimate that about 0.07-0.15 M⊙ of 56Ni was produced during the explosion and that the total ejecta mass was between 2 and 5 M⊙, with a kinetic energy of at least 1051 erg. The spectral evolution of SN 2008ax is similar to that of SN Ib/IIb 2007Y, exhibiting high-velocity Ca ii features at early phases and signs of ejecta-wind interaction from Hα observations at late times. NIR spectra show strong He i lines similar to SN Ib 1999ex and a large number of emission features at late times. Particularly interesting are the strong, double-peaked He i lines in late NIR spectra, which - together with the double-peaked O i emission in late optical spectra - provide clues for the asymmetry and large-scale Ni mixing in the ejecta.
SN 2006gy: Was it Really Extraordinary? Agnoletto, I; Benetti, S; Cappellaro, E ...
The Astrophysical journal,
02/2009, Letnik:
691, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
We present the photometric and spectroscopic study of the very luminous type IIn SN 2006gy for a time period spanning more than one year. The evolution of multiband light curves, the pseudobolometric ...(BVRI) light curve, and an extended spectral sequence is used to derive constraints on the origin and evolution of the supernova (SN). A broad, bright (MR ~ -21.7) peak characterizes all monochromatic light curves. Afterward, rapid luminosity fading ( gamma R ~ 3.2 mag(100 days)-1) is followed by a phase of slow luminosity decline ( gamma R ~ 0.4 mag(100 days)-1) between days ~ 170 and ~ 237. At late phases (>237 days), because of the large luminosity drop (>3 mag), only upper visibility limits are obtained in the B, R, and I bands. In the near-infrared, two K-band detections on days 411 and 510 open new issues about dust formation or infrared echo scenarios. At all epochs, the spectra are characterized by the absence of broad P-Cygni profiles and a multicomponent H alpha profile, which are the typical signatures of type IIn SNe. H alpha velocities of FWHM 3200 km s-1 and FHWM 9000 km s-1 are measured around the maximum phase for the intermediate and high velocity components, respectively, and they slowly evolve with time. After maximum, spectroscopic and photometric similarities are found between SN 2006gy and bright, interaction-dominated SNe (e.g., SN 1997cy, SN 1999E, and SN 2002ic). This suggests that ejecta-circumsteller material (CSM) interaction plays a key role in SN 2006gy about six to eight months after maximum, sustaining the late-time light curve. Alternatively, the late luminosity may be related to the radioactive decay of ~ 3 M of 56Ni. Models of the light curve in the first 170 days suggest that the progenitor was a compact star (R ~ (6-8) X 1012 cm, M ej ~ 5-14 M ) and that the SN ejecta collided with massive (6-10 M ), opaque clumps of previously ejected material. These clumps do not completely obscure the SN photosphere, such that at its peak, the luminosity is due both to the decay of 56Ni and to interaction with CSM. Neither an extraordinarily large explosion energy nor a supermassive star is required to explain the observational data.
We present new data for five underluminous Type II-plateau supernovae (SNe IIP), namely SN 1999gn, SN 2002gd, SN 2003Z, SN 2004eg and SN 2006ov. This new sample of low-luminosity SNe IIP (LL SNe IIP) ...is analysed together with similar objects studied in the past. All of them show a flat light-curve plateau lasting about 100 d, an underluminous late-time exponential tail, intrinsic colours that are unusually red, and spectra showing prominent and narrow P Cygni lines. A velocity of the ejected material below 103 km s−1 is inferred from measurements at the end of the plateau. The 56Ni masses ejected in the explosion are very small (≤10−2 M). We investigate the correlations among 56Ni mass, expansion velocity of the ejecta and absolute magnitude in the middle of the plateau, confirming the main findings of Hamuy, according to which events showing brighter plateau and larger expansion velocities are expected to produce more 56Ni. We propose that these faint objects represent the LL tail of a continuous distribution in parameters space of SNe IIP. The physical properties of the progenitors at the explosion are estimated through the hydrodynamical modelling of the observables for two representative events of this class, namely SN 2005cs and SN 2008in. We find that the majority of LL SNe IIP, and quite possibly all, originate in the core collapse of intermediate-mass stars, in the mass range 10-15 M.
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