| 1. |
- Wang, Xiaofeng, et al.
(author)
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Evidence for type ia supernova diversity from ultraviolet observations with the hubble space telescope
- 2012
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 749:2, s. 126-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy and photometry of four Type Ia supernovae (SNe 2004dt, 2004ef, 2005M, and 2005cf) obtained with the UV prism of the Advanced Camera for Surveys on the Hubble Space Telescope. This data set provides unique spectral time series down to 2000 angstrom. Significant diversity is seen in the near-maximum-light spectra (similar to 2000-3500 angstrom) for this small sample. The corresponding photometric data, together with archival data from Swift Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope observations, provide further evidence of increased dispersion in the UV emission with respect to the optical. The peak luminositiesmeasured in the uvw1/F250W filter are found to correlate with the B-band light-curve shape parameter Delta m(15)(B), but with much larger scatter relative to the correlation in the broadband B band (e.g., similar to 0.4 mag versus similar to 0.2 mag for those with 0.8 mag < Delta m(15)(B) < 1.7 mag). SN 2004dt is found as an outlier of this correlation (at > 3 sigma), being brighter than normal SNe Ia such as SN 2005cf by similar to 0.9 mag and similar to 2.0 mag in the uvw1/F250W and uvm2/F220W filters, respectively. We show that different progenitor metallicity or line-expansion velocities alone cannot explain such a large discrepancy. Viewing-angle effects, such as due to an asymmetric explosion, may have a significant influence on the flux emitted in the UV region. Detailed modeling is needed to disentangle and quantify the above effects.
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| 2. |
- Fransson, Claes, et al.
(author)
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Hubble Space Telescope and Ground-based Observations of SN 1993J and SN 1998S : CNO Processing in the Progenitors
- 2005
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 622, s. 991-1007
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ground-based and Hubble Space Telescope observations are presented for SN 1993J and SN 1998S. SN 1998S shows strong, relatively narrow circumstellar emission lines of N III-V and C III-IV, as well as broad lines from the ejecta. Both the broad ultraviolet and optical lines in SN 1998S indicate an expansion velocity of ~7000 km s-1. The broad emission components of Lyα and Mg II are strongly asymmetrical after day 72 past the explosion and differ in shape from Hα. Different models based on dust extinction from dust in the ejecta or shock region, in combination with Hα from a circumstellar torus, are discussed. It is concluded, however, that the double-peaked line profiles are more likely to arise as a result of optical depth effects in the narrow, cool, dense shell behind the reverse shock than in a torus-like region. The ultraviolet lines of SN 1993J are broad, with a boxlike shape, coming from the ejecta and a cool, dense shell. The shapes of the lines are well fitted by a shell with inner velocity ~7000 km s-1 and outer velocity ~10,000 km s-1. For both SN 1993J and SN 1998S a strong nitrogen enrichment is found, with N/C~12.4 in SN 1993J and N/C~6.0 in SN 1998S. From a compilation of all supernovae with determined CNO ratios, we discuss the implications of these observations for the structure of the progenitors of Type II supernovae. Based in part on observations obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope, which is operated by AURA, Inc., under NASA contract NAS 5-26555.
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| 3. |
- Fransson, Claes, et al.
(author)
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THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CIRCUMSTELLAR RING OF SN 1987A
- 2015
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In: Astrophysical Journal Letters. - 2041-8205 .- 2041-8213. ; 806:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present imaging and spectroscopic observations with Hubble Space Telescope and Very Large Telescope of the ring of SN 1987A from 1994 to 2014. After an almost exponential increase of the shocked emission from the hotspots up to day similar to 8000 (similar to 2009), both this and the unshocked emission are now fading. From the radial positions of the hotspots we see an acceleration of these up to 500-1000 km s(-1), consistent with the highest spectroscopic shock velocities from the radiative shocks. In the most recent observations (2013 and 2014), we find several new hotspots outside the inner ring, excited by either X-rays from the shocks or by direct shock interaction. All of these observations indicate that the interaction with the supernova ejecta is now gradually dissolving the hotspots. We predict, based on the observed decay, that the inner ring will be destroyed by similar to 2025.
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| 4. |
- Alp, Dennis, et al.
(author)
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The 30 Year Search for the Compact Object in SN 1987A
- 2018
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - : Institute of Physics Publishing (IOPP). - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 864:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Despite more than 30 years of searching, the compact object in Supernova (SN) 1987A has not yet been detected. We present new limits on the compact object in SN 1987A using millimeter, near-infrared, optical, ultraviolet, and X-ray observations from ALMA, VLT, HST, and Chandra. The limits are approximately 0.1 mJy (0.1 x 10(-26) erg s(-1) cm(-2) Hz(-1)) at 213 GHz, 1 L-circle dot (6 x 10(-29) erg s(-1) cm(-2) Hz(-1)) in the optical if our line of sight is free of ejecta dust, and 10(36) erg s(-1) (2 x 10(-30) erg s(-1) cm(-2) Hz(-1) ) in 2-10 keV X-rays. Our X-ray limits are an order of magnitude less constraining than previous limits because we use a more realistic ejecta absorption model based on three-dimensional neutrino-driven SN explosion models. The allowed bolometric luminosity of the compact object is 22 L-circle dot if our line of sight is free of ejecta dust, or 138L(circle dot) if dust-obscured. Depending on assumptions, these values limit the effective temperature of a neutron star (NS) to <4-8 MK and do not exclude models, which typically are in the range 3-4 MK. For the simplest accretion model, the accretion rate for an efficiency 77 is limited to <10(-11) eta(-1) M-circle dot yr(-1), which excludes most predictions. For pulsar activity modeled by a rotating magnetic dipole in vacuum, the limit on the magnetic field strength (B) for a given spin period (P) is B less than or similar to 10(14) P-2 G s(-2), which firmly excludes pulsars comparable to the Crab. By combining information about radiation reprocessing and geometry, we infer that the compact object is a dust-obscured thermally emitting NS, which may appear as a region of higher-temperature ejecta dust emission.
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| 5. |
- Fransson, Claes, et al.
(author)
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Late spectral evolution of the ejecta and reverse shock in SN 1987a
- 2013
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 768:1, s. 88-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present observations with the Very Large Telescope and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) of the broad emission lines from the inner ejecta and reverse shock of SN 1987A from 1999 February until 2012 January (days 4381-9100 after explosion). We detect broad lines from H alpha, H beta, Mg I], Na I, [O I], [Ca II], and a feature at similar to 9220 angstrom. We identify the latter line with Mg II lambda lambda 9218, 9244, which is most likely pumped by Ly alpha fluorescence. H alpha and H beta both have a centrally peaked component extending to similar to 4500 km s(-1) and a very broad component extending to greater than or similar to 11,000 km s(-1), while the other lines have only the central component. The low-velocity component comes from unshocked ejecta, heated mainly by X-rays from the circumstellar environment, whereas the very broad component comes from faster ejecta passing through the reverse shock, created by the collision with the circumstellar ring. The flux in H alpha from the reverse shock has increased by a factor of four to six from 2000 to 2007. After that there is a tendency of flattening of the light curve, similar to what may be seen in the optical lines from the shocked ring. The core component seen in H alpha, [Ca II], and Mg II has experienced a similar increase, which is consistent with that found from HST photometry. The energy deposition of the external X-rays is calculated using explosion models for SN 1987A and we predict that the outer parts of the unshocked ejecta will continue to brighten because of this. The external X-ray illumination also explains the edge-brightened morphology of the ejecta seen in the HST images. We finally discuss evidence for dust in the ejecta from line asymmetries.
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| 6. |
- Gröningsson, Per, et al.
(author)
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High resolution spectroscopy of the inner ring of SN 1987A
- 2008
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 479:3, s. 761-777
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We discuss high resolution VLT/UVES observations (FWHM similar to 6 kms(-1)) from October 2002 (day similar to 5700 past explosion) of the shock interaction of SN 1987A and its circumstellar ring. A large number of narrow emission lines from the unshocked ring, with ion stages from neutral up to Ne V and Fe VII, have been identified. A nebular analysis of the narrow lines from the unshocked gas indicates gas densities of (similar to 1.5 - 5.0) x 10(3) cm(-3) and temperatures of similar to 6.5 x 10(3) - 2.4 x 104 K. This is consistent with the thermal widths of the lines. From the shocked component we observe a large range of ionization stages from neutral lines to [FeXIV]. From a nebular analysis we find that the density in the low ionization region is 4 x 10(6) - 10(7) cm-3. There is a clear difference in the high velocity extension of the low ionization lines and that of lines from [Fe X - XIV], with the latter extending up to similar to- 390 km s(-1) in the blue wing for [Fe XIV], while the low ionization lines extend to typically similar to- 260 km s(-1). For H alpha a faint extension up to similar to- 450 km s(-1) can be seen probably arising from a small fraction of shocked high density clumps. We discuss these observations in the context of radiative shock models, which are qualitatively consistent with the observations. A fraction of the high ionization lines may originate in gas which has yet not had time to cool, explaining the difference in width between the low and high ionization lines. The maximum shock velocities seen in the optical lines are similar to 510 km s(-1). We expect the maximum width of especially the low ionization lines to increase with time.
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| 7. |
- Gröningsson, Per, et al.
(author)
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High resolution spectroscopy of the line emission from the inner circumstellar ring of SN 1987A and its hot spots
- 2007
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- We discuss high resolution VLT/UVES observations (FWHM ~ 6 km/s) from October 2002 (day ~5700 past explosion) of the shock interaction of SN 1987A and its circumstellar ring. A nebular analysis of the narrow lines from the unshocked gas indicates gas densities of (1.5-5.0)E3 cm-3 and temperatures of 6.5E3-2.4E4 K. This is consistent with the thermal widths of the lines. From the shocked component we observe a large range of ionization stages from neutral lines to [Fe XIV]. From a nebular analysis we find that the density in the low ionization region is 4E6-1E7 cm-3. There is a clear difference in the high velocity extension of the low ionization lines and that of lines from [Fe X-XIV], with the latter extending up to ~ -390 km/s in the blue wing for [Fe XIV], while the low ionization lines extend to typically ~ -260 km/s. For H-alpha a faint extension up to ~ -450 km/s can be seen probably arising from a small fraction of shocked high density clumps. We discuss these observations in the context of radiative shock models, which are qualitatively consistent with the observations. A fraction of the high ionization lines may originate in gas which has yet not had time to cool down, explaining the difference in width between the low and high ionization lines. The maximum shock velocities seen in the optical lines are ~ 510 km/s. We expect the maximum width of especially the low ionization lines to increase with time.
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| 8. |
- Gröningsson, Per, et al.
(author)
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Time evolution of the line emission from the inner circumstellar ring of SN 1987A and its hot spots
- 2008
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 492:2, s. 481-491
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present seven epochs between October 1999 and November 2007 of high resolution VLT/UVES echelle spectra of the ejecta-ring collision of SN 1987A.
The fluxes of most of the narrow lines from the unshocked gas decreased by a factor of 2-3 during this period, consistent with the decay from the initial ionization by the shock break-out. However, [O III] in particular shows an increase up to day ~6800. This agrees with radiative shock models where the pre-shocked gas is heated by the soft X-rays from the shock. The evolution of the [O III] line ratio shows a decreasing temperature of the unshocked ring gas, consistent with a transition from a hot, low density component which was heated by the initial flash ionization to the lower temperature in the pre-ionized gas ahead of the shocks.
The line emission from the shocked gas increases rapidly as the shock sweeps up more gas. We find that the neutral and high ionization lines follow the evolution of the Balmer lines roughly, while the intermediate ionization lines evolve less rapidly. Up to day ~6800, the optical light curves have a similar evolution to that of the soft X-rays. The break between day 6500 and day 7000 for [O III] and [Ne III] is likely due to recombination to lower ionization levels. Nevertheless, the evolution of the [Fe XIV] line, as well as the lines from the lowest ionization stages, continue to follow that of the soft X-rays, as expected.
There is a clear difference in the line profiles between the low and intermediate ionization lines, and those from the coronal lines at the earlier epochs. This shows that these lines arise from regions with different physical conditions, with at least a fraction of the coronal lines coming from adiabatic shocks. At later epochs the line widths of the low ionization lines, however, increase and approach those of the high ionization lines of [ Fe X-XIV] . The H line profile can be traced up to ~500 km s-1 at the latest epoch. This is consistent with the cooling time of shocks propagating into a density of (1-4) 104 cm-3. This means that these shocks are among the highest velocity radiative shocks observed.
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| 9. |
- Larsson, Josefin, et al.
(author)
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The morphology of the ejecta in supernova 1987a : A study over time and wavelength
- 2013
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 768:1, s. 89-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present a study of the morphology of the ejecta in Supernova 1987A based on images and spectra from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) as well as integral field spectroscopy from VLT/SINFONI. The HST observations were obtained between 1994 and 2011 and primarily probe the outer H-rich zones of the ejecta. The SINFONI observations were obtained in 2005 and 2011 and instead probe the [Si I]+[Fe II] emission from the inner regions. We find a strong temporal evolution of the morphology in the HST images, from a roughly elliptical shape before similar to 5000 days, to a more irregular, edge-brightened morphology with a "hole" in the middle thereafter. This transition is a natural consequence of the change in the dominant energy source powering the ejecta, from radioactive decay before similar to 5000 days to X-ray input from the circumstellar interaction thereafter. The [Si I]+[Fe II] images display a more uniform morphology, which may be due to a remaining significant contribution from radioactivity in the inner ejecta and the higher abundance of these elements in the core. Both the Ha and the [Si I]+[Fe II] line profiles show that the ejecta are distributed fairly close to the plane of the inner circumstellar ring, which is assumed to define the rotational axis of the progenitor star. The Ha emission extends to higher velocities than [Si I]+[Fe II], as expected from theoretical models. There is no clear symmetry axis for all the emission. Instead, we find that the emission is concentrated to clumps and that the emission is distributed somewhat closer to the ring in the north than in the south. This north-south asymmetry may be partially explained by dust absorption. We compare our results with explosion models and find some qualitative agreement, but note that the observations show a higher degree of large-scale asymmetry.
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| 10. |
- Lundqvist, Peter, et al.
(author)
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Hydrogen and helium in the spectra of Type Ia supernovae
- 2013
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In: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 435:1, s. 329-345
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present predictions for hydrogen and helium emission line luminosities from circumstellar matter around Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) using time dependent photoionization modelling. Early high-resolution ESO/Very Large Telescope (VLT) optical echelle spectra of the SN Ia 2000cx were taken before and up to similar to 70 d after maximum to probe the existence of such narrow emission lines from the supernova. We detect no such lines, and from our modelling place an upper limit on the mass-loss rate for the putative wind from the progenitor system,. M less than or similar to 1.3 x 10(-5) M-circle dot yr(-1), assuming a speed of 10 km s(-1) and solar abundances for the wind. If the wind would be helium-enriched and/or faster, the upper limit on. M could be significantly higher. In the helium-enriched case, we show that the best line to constrain the mass-loss would be He I.10 830. In addition to confirming the details of interstellar Na I and Ca II absorption towards SN 2000cx as discussed by Patat et al., we also find evidence for 6613.56 angstrom diffuse interstellar band absorption in the Milky Way. We also discuss measurements of the X-ray emission from the interaction between the supernova ejecta and the wind and we re-evaluate observations of SN 1992A obtained similar to 16 d after maximum by Schlegel & Petre. We find an upper limit of. M less than or similar to 1.3 x 10(-5) M-circle dot yr(-1) which is significantly higher than that estimated by Schlegel & Petre. These results, together with the previous observational work on the normal SNe Ia 1994D and 2001el, disfavour a symbiotic star in the upper mass-loss rate regime (so-called Mira-type systems) from being the likely progenitor scenario for these SNe. Our model calculations are general, and can also be used for the subclass of SNe Ia that do show circumstellar interaction, e. g. the recent PTF 11kx. To constrain hydrogen in late-time spectra, we present ESO/VLT and ESO/New Technology Telescope optical and infrared observations of SNe Ia 1998bu and 2000cx in the nebular phase, 251-388 d after maximum. We see no signs of hydrogen line emission in SNe 1998bu and 2000cx at these epochs, and from the absence of Ha with a width of the order of similar to 10(3) km s(-1), we argue from modelling that the mass of such hydrogen-rich gas must be less than or similar to 0.03 M circle dot for both supernovae. Comparing similar upper limits with recent models of Pan et al., it seems that hydrogen-rich donors with a separation of less than or similar to 5 times the radius of the donor may be ruled out for the five SNe Ia 1998bu, 2000cx, 2001el, 2005am and 2005cf. Larger separation, helium-rich donors, or a double-degenerate origin for these supernovae seems more likely. Our models have also been used to put the limit on hydrogen-rich gas in the recent SN 2011fe, and for this supernova, a double-degenerate origin seems likely.
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