1. |
- Cao, Yi, et al.
(author)
-
A strong ultraviolet pulse from a newborn type Ia supernova
- 2015
-
In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 521:7552, s. 328-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Type Ia supernovae(1) are destructive explosions of carbon-oxygen white dwarfs(2,3). Although they are used empirically to measure cosmological distances(4-6), the nature of their progenitors remains mysterious(3). One of the leading progenitor models, called the single degenerate channel, hypothesizes that a white dwarf accretes matter from a companion star and the resulting increase in its central pressure and temperature ignites thermonuclear explosion(3,7,8). Here we report observations with the Swift Space Telescope of strong but declining ultraviolet emission from a type Ia supernova within four days of its explosion. This emission is consistent with theoretical expectations of collision between material ejected by the supernova and a companion star(9), and therefore provides evidence that some type Ia supernovae arise from the single degenerate channel.
|
|
2. |
- Cao, Yi, et al.
(author)
-
ABSENCE OF FAST-MOVING IRON IN AN INTERMEDIATE TYPE Ia SUPERNOVA BETWEEN NORMAL AND SUPER-CHANDRASEKHAR
- 2016
-
In: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 823:2
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this paper, we report observations of a peculiar SN Ia iPTF13asv (a.k.a., SN2013cv) from the onset of the explosion to months after its peak. The early-phase spectra of iPTF13asv show an absence of iron absorption, indicating that synthesized iron elements are confined to low-velocity regions of the ejecta, which, in turn, implies a stratified ejecta structure along the line of sight. Our analysis of iPTF13asv's light curves and spectra shows that it is an intermediate case between normal and super-Chandrasekhar events. On the one hand, its light curve shape (B-band Delta m(15)=1.03 +/- 0.01) and overall spectral features resemble those of normal SNe Ia. On the other hand, its large peak optical and UV luminosity (M-B = -19.84 mag, M-uvm2 = -15.5 mag) and its low but almost constant Si II velocities of about 10,000 km s (1) are similar to those in super-Chandrasekhar events, and its persistent carbon signatures in the spectra are weaker than those seen commonly in super-Chandrasekhar events. We estimate a Ni-56 mass of 0.81(-0.18)(+0.10) M-circle dot and a total ejecta mass of 1.59(-0.12)(+0.45) M-circle dot. The large ejecta mass of iPTF13asv and its stratified ejecta structure together seemingly favor a double-degenerate origin.
|
|
3. |
- Arcavi, Iair, et al.
(author)
-
Energetic eruptions leading to a peculiar hydrogen-rich explosion of a massive star
- 2017
-
In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 551:7679, s. 210-213
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Every supernova so far observed has been considered to be the terminal explosion of a star. Moreover, all supernovae with absorption lines in their spectra show those lines decreasing in velocity over time, as the ejecta expand and thin, revealing slower-moving material that was previously hidden. In addition, every supernova that exhibits the absorption lines of hydrogen has one main light-curve peak, or a plateau in luminosity, lasting approximately 100 days before declining(1). Here we report observations of iPTF14hls, an event that has spectra identical to a hydrogen-rich core-collapse supernova, but characteristics that differ extensively from those of known supernovae. The light curve has at least five peaks and remains bright for more than 600 days; the absorption lines show little to no decrease in velocity; and the radius of the line-forming region is more than an order of magnitude bigger than the radius of the photosphere derived from the continuum emission. These characteristics are consistent with a shell of several tens of solar masses ejected by the progenitor star at supernova-level energies a few hundred days before a terminal explosion. Another possible eruption was recorded at the same position in 1954. Multiple energetic pre-supernova eruptions are expected to occur in stars of 95 to 130 solar masses, which experience the pulsational pair instability(2-5). That model, however, does not account for the continued presence of hydrogen, or the energetics observed here. Another mechanism for the violent ejection of mass in massive stars may be required.
|
|
4. |
- Cao, Yi, et al.
(author)
-
SN2002es-LIKE SUPERNOVAE FROM DIFFERENT VIEWING ANGLES
- 2016
-
In: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 832:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this article, we compare optical light curves of two SN2002es-like Type Ia supernovae (SNe), iPTF14atg and iPTF14dpk, from the intermediate Palomar Transient Factory. Although the two light curves resemble each other around and after maximum, they show distinct early-phase rise behavior in the r-band. On the one hand, iPTF14atg revealed a slow and steady rise that lasted for 22 days with a mean rise rate of 0.2-0.3 mag day(-1), before it reached the R-band peak (- 18.05 mag). On the other hand, iPTF14dpk rose rapidly to - 17 mag within a day of discovery with a rise rate > 1.8 mag day(-1), and then rose slowly to its peak (- 18.19 mag) with a rise rate similar to iPTF14atg. The apparent total rise time of iPTF14dpk is therefore only 16 days. We show that emission from iPTF14atg before - 17 days with respect to its maximum can be entirely attributed to radiation produced by collision between the SN and its companion star. Such emission is absent from iPTF14dpk probably because of an unfavored viewing angle, provided that SN2002es-like events arise from the same progenitor channel. We further show that an SN2002es-like SN may experience a dark phase after the explosion but before its radioactively powered light curve becomes visible. This dark phase may be lit by radiation from supernova-companion interaction.
|
|