| 1. |
- 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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| 2. |
- Cai, Y.-Z., et al.
(author)
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Intermediate-luminosity red transients : Spectrophotometric properties and connection to electron-capture supernova explosions
- 2021
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 654
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present the spectroscopic and photometric study of five intermediate-luminosity red transients (ILRTs), namely AT 2010dn, AT 2012jc, AT 2013la, AT 2013lb, and AT 2018aes. They share common observational properties and belong to a family of objects similar to the prototypical ILRT SN 2008S. These events have a rise time that is less than 15 days and absolute peak magnitudes of between −11.5 and −14.5 mag. Their pseudo-bolometric light curves peak in the range 0.5–9.0 × 1040 erg s−1 and their total radiated energies are on the order of (0.3–3) × 1047 erg. After maximum brightness, the light curves show a monotonic decline or a plateau, resembling those of faint supernovae IIL or IIP, respectively. At late phases, the light curves flatten, roughly following the slope of the 56Co decay. If the late-time power source is indeed radioactive decay, these transients produce 56Ni masses on the order of 10−4 to 10−3 M⊙. The spectral energy distribution of our ILRT sample, extending from the optical to the mid-infrared (MIR) domain, reveals a clear IR excess soon after explosion and non-negligible MIR emission at very late phases. The spectra show prominent H lines in emission with a typical velocity of a few hundred km s−1, along with Ca II features. In particular, the [Ca II] λ7291,7324 doublet is visible at all times, which is a characteristic feature for this family of transients. The identified progenitor of SN 2008S, which is luminous in archival Spitzer MIR images, suggests an intermediate-mass precursor star embedded in a dusty cocoon. We propose the explosion of a super-asymptotic giant branch star forming an electron-capture supernova as a plausible explanation for these events.
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| 3. |
- Chugai, Nikolai N., et al.
(author)
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The Type IIn supernova 1994W : evidence for the explosive ejection of a circumstellar envelope
- 2004
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In: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 352, s. 1213-1231
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present and analyse spectra of the Type IIn supernova (SN) 1994W obtained between 18 and 203d after explosion. During the luminous phase (first 100d) the line profiles are composed of three major components: (i) narrow P-Cygni lines with the absorption minima at -700kms-1 (ii) broad emission lines with blue velocity at zero intensity ~4000km s-1 and (iii) broad, smooth wings extending out to at least ~5000kms-1, most apparent in Hα. These components are identified with an expanding circumstellar (CS) envelope, shocked cool gas in the forward post-shock region, and multiple Thomson scattering in the CS envelope, respectively. The absence of broad P-Cygni lines from the SN is the result of the formation of an optically thick, cool, dense shell at the interface of the ejecta and the CS envelope. Models of the SN deceleration and Thomson scattering wings are used to recover the density (n~ 109cm-3), radial extent [~(4-5) × 1015cm] and Thomson optical depth (τT>~ 2.5) of the CS envelope during the first month. The plateau-like SN light curve is reproduced by a hydrodynamical model and is found to be powered by a combination of internal energy leakage after the explosion of an extended pre-SN (~1015cm) and subsequent luminosity from CS interaction. The pre-explosion kinematics of the CS envelope is recovered, and is close to homologous expansion with outer velocity ~1100kms-1 and a kinematic age of ~1.5yr. The high mass (~0.4Msolar) and kinetic energy (~2 × 1048erg) of the CS envelope, combined with low age, strongly suggest that the CS envelope was explosively ejected ~1.5yr prior to the SN explosion.
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| 4. |
- Ergon, Mattias, 1967-, et al.
(author)
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Light curve and spectral modelling of the type IIb SN 2020acat. Evidence for a strong Ni bubble effect on the diffusion time
- 2024
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 683
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We use the light-curve and spectral synthesis code JEKYLL to calculate a set of macroscopically mixed type IIb supernova (SN) models, which are compared to both previously published and new late-phase observations of SN 2020acat. The models differ in the initial mass, in the radial mixing and expansion of the radioactive material, and in the properties of the hydrogen envelope. The best match to the photospheric and nebular spectra and light curves of SN 2020acat is found for a model with an initial mass of 17 M⊙, strong radial mixing and expansion of the radioactive material, and a 0.1 M⊙ hydrogen envelope with a low hydrogen mass fraction of 0.27. The most interesting result is that strong expansion of the clumps containing radioactive material seems to be required to fit the observations of SN 2020acat both in the diffusion phase and in the nebular phase. These Ni bubbles are expected to expand due to heating from radioactive decays, but the degree of expansion is poorly constrained. Without strong expansion, there is a tension between the diffusion phase and the subsequent evolution, and models that fit the nebular phase produce a diffusion peak that is too broad. The diffusion-phase light curve is sensitive to the expansion of the Ni bubbles because the resulting Swiss-cheese-like geometry decreases the effective opacity and therefore the diffusion time. This effect has not been taken into account in previous light-curve modelling of stripped-envelope SNe, which may lead to a systematic underestimate of their ejecta masses. In addition to strong expansion, strong mixing of the radioactive material also seems to be required to fit the diffusion peak. It should be emphasized, however, that JEKYLL is limited to a geometry that is spherically symmetric on average, and large-scale asymmetries may also play a role. The relatively high initial mass found for the progenitor of SN 2020acat places it at the upper end of the mass distribution of type IIb SN progenitors, and a single-star origin cannot be excluded.
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| 5. |
- France, Kevin, et al.
(author)
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HST-COS Observations of Hydrogen, Helium, Carbon, and Nitrogen Emission from the SN 1987A Reverse Shock
- 2011
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 743:2, s. 186-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present the most sensitive ultraviolet observations of Supernova 1987A to date. Imaging spectroscopy from the Hubble Space Telescope-Cosmic Origins Spectrograph shows many narrow (Δv ~ 300 km s-1) emission lines from the circumstellar ring, broad (Δv ~ 10-20 × 103 km s-1) emission lines from the reverse shock, and ultraviolet continuum emission. The high signal-to-noise ratio (>40 per resolution element) broad Lyα emission is excited by soft X-ray and EUV heating of mostly neutral gas in the circumstellar ring and outer supernova debris. The ultraviolet continuum at λ > 1350 Å can be explained by H I two-photon (2s 2 S 1/2-1s 2 S 1/2) emission from the same region. We confirm our earlier, tentative detection of N V λ1240 emission from the reverse shock and present the first detections of broad He II λ1640, C IV λ1550, and N IV] λ1486 emission lines from the reverse shock. The helium abundance in the high-velocity material is He/H = 0.14 ± 0.06. The N V/Hα line ratio requires partial ion-electron equilibration (Te /Tp ≈ 0.14-0.35). We find that the N/C abundance ratio in the gas crossing the reverse shock is significantly higher than that in the circumstellar ring, a result that may be attributed to chemical stratification in the outer envelope of the supernova progenitor. The N/C abundance may have been stratified prior to the ring expulsion, or this result may indicate continued CNO processing in the progenitor subsequent to the expulsion of the circumstellar ring. Based on observations made with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained from the data archive at the Space Telescope Science Institute. STScI is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under NASA contract NAS 5-26555.
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| 6. |
- France, Kevin, et al.
(author)
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Observing Supernova 1987A with the Refurbished Hubble Space Telescope
- 2010
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In: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 329:5999, s. 1624-1627
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Observations with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), conducted since 1990, now offer an unprecedented glimpse into fast astrophysical shocks in the young remnant of supernova 1987A. Comparing observations taken in 2010 with the use of the refurbished instruments on HST with data taken in 2004, just before the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph failed, we find that the Ly alpha and H alpha lines from shock emission continue to brighten, whereas their maximum velocities continue to decrease. We observe broad, blueshifted Ly alpha, which we attribute to resonant scattering of photons emitted from hot spots on the equatorial ring. We also detect N v lambda lambda 1239, 1243 angstrom line emission, but only to the red of Ly alpha. The profiles of the N v lines differ markedly from that of H alpha, suggesting that the N4+ ions are scattered and accelerated by turbulent electromagnetic fields that isotropize the ions in the collisionless shock.
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| 7. |
- 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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| 8. |
- 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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| 9. |
- Gerardy, Christopher L., et al.
(author)
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Signatures of Delayed Detonation, Asymmetry, and Electron Capture in the Mid-Infrared Spectra of Supernovae 2003hv and 2005df
- 2007
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In: The Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 661:2, s. 995-1012
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present mid-infrared (5.2-15.2 μm) spectra of the Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) 2003hv and 2005df observed with the Spitzer Space Telescope. These are the first observed mid-infrared spectra of thermonuclear supernovae, and show strong emission from fine-structure lines of Ni, Co, S, and Ar. The detection of Ni emission in SN 2005df 135 days after the explosion provides direct observational evidence of high-density nuclear burning forming a significant amount of stable Ni in a SN Ia. The SN 2005df Ar lines also exhibit a two-pronged emission profile, implying that the Ar emission deviates significantly from spherical symmetry. The spectrum of SN 2003hv also shows signs of asymmetry, exhibiting blueshifted [Co III], which matches the blueshift of [Fe II ] lines in nearly coeval near-infrared spectra. Finally, local thermodynamic equilibrium abundance estimates for the yield of radioactive 56Ni give M56Ni~0.5 Msolar, for SN 2003hv, but only M56Ni~0.13-0.22 Msolar for the apparently subluminous SN 2005df, supporting the notion that the luminosity of SNe Ia is primarily a function of the radioactive 56Ni yield. The observed emission-line profiles in the SN 2005df spectrum indicate a chemically stratified ejecta structure, which matches the predictions of delayed detonation (DD) models, but is entirely incompatible with current three-dimensional deflagration models. Furthermore, the degree that this layering persists to the innermost regions of the supernova is difficult to explain even in a DD scenario, where the innermost ejecta are still the product of deflagration burning. Thus, while these results are roughly consistent with a delayed detonation, it is clear that a key piece of physics is still missing from our understanding of the earliest phases of SN Ia explosions.
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| 10. |
- 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
-
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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