| 1. |
- Leloudas, G., et al.
(author)
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SN 2006oz : rise of a super-luminous supernova observed by the SDSS-II SN Survey
- 2012
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 541, s. A129-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. A new class of super-luminous transients has recently been identified. These objects reach absolute luminosities of M-u < -21, lack hydrogen in their spectra, and are exclusively discovered by non-targeted surveys because they are associated with very faint galaxies. Aims. We aim to contribute to a better understanding of these objects by studying SN 2006oz, a newly-recognized member of this class. Methods. We present multi-color light curves of SN 2006oz from the SDSS-II SN Survey that cover its rise time, as well as an optical spectrum that shows that the explosion occurred at z similar to 0.376. We fitted black-body functions to estimate the temperature and radius evolution of the photosphere and used the parametrized code SYNOW to model the spectrum. We constructed a bolometric light curve and compared it with explosion models. In addition, we conducted a deep search for the host galaxy with the 10 m GTC telescope. Results. The very early light curves show a dip in the g-and r-bands and a possible initial cooling phase in the u-band before rising to maximum light. The bolometric light curve shows a precursor plateau with a duration of 6-10 days in the rest-frame. A lower limit of M-u < -21.5 can be placed on the absolute peak luminosity of the SN, while the rise time is constrained to be at least 29 days. During our observations, the emitting sphere doubled its radius to similar to 2 x 10(15) cm, while the temperature remained hot at similar to 15 000 K. As for other similar SNe, the spectrum is best modeled with elements including O II and Mg II, while we tentatively suggest that Fe III might be present. The host galaxy is detected in gri with 25.74 +/- 0.19, 24.43 +/- 0.06, and 24.14 +/- 0.12, respectively. It is a faint dwarf galaxy with M-g = -16.9. Conclusions. We suggest that the precursor plateau might be related to a recombination wave in a circumstellar medium (CSM) and discuss whether this is a common property of all similar explosions. The subsequent rise can be equally well described by input from a magnetar or by ejecta-CSM interaction, but the models are not well constrained owing to the lack of post-maximum observations, and CSM interaction has difficulties accounting for the precursor plateau self-consistently. Radioactive decay is less likely to be the mechanism that powers the luminosity. The host is a moderately young and star-forming, but not a starburst, galaxy.
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| 2. |
- Zinn, P. -C, et al.
(author)
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Supernovae without host galaxies? : The low surface brightness host of SN 2009Z
- 2012
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 538, s. A30-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. A remarkable fraction of supernovae (SNe) have no obvious host galaxy. Two possible explanations are that (i) the host galaxy is simply not detected within the sensitivity of the available data or that (ii) the progenitor is a hypervelocity star that has escaped its parent galaxy. Aims. We use the Type IIb SN 2009Z as a prototype of case (i), an example of how a very faint (here low surface brightness; LSB) galaxy can be discovered via the observation of a seemingly host-less SN. By identifying and studying LSB galaxies that host SNe related to the death of massive stars, we can place constraints on the stellar population and environment of LSB galaxies, which at present are poorly understood. Methods. We use archival ultraviolet (UV) and optical imaging, as well as an HI spectrum taken with the 100m Effelsberg Radio Telescope to measure various parameters of the host galaxy, in particular its redshift, stellar and HI mass, and metallicity. Results. From the Effelsberg spectrum, a redshift z = 0.02513 +/- 0.00001 and an HI mass of 2.96 +/- 0.12 x 10(9) M-circle dot are computed. This redshift is consistent with that obtained from optical emission lines of SN 2009Z. Furthermore, a gas mass fraction of f(g) = 0.87 +/- 0.04 is obtained, one of the highest fractions ever measured. The host galaxy shows signs of recently enhanced star formation activity with a far-UV derived extinction-corrected star formation rate (SFR) of 0.44 +/- 0.34 M-circle dot yr(-1). Based on the B-band luminosity we estimate an extinction-corrected metallicity following the calibration by Pilyugin (2001) of 12 + log(O/H) = 8.24 +/- 0.70. Conclusions. The presence of a Type IIb SN in an LSB galaxy suggests, contrary to popular belief, that massive stars can be formed in this type of galaxies. Furthermore, our results imply that LSB galaxies undergo phases of small, local burst activity intermittent with longer phases of inactivity, rather than a continuous but very low SFR. Discovering faint (LSB) galaxies via bright supernova events happening in them offers an excellent opportunity to improve our understanding of the nature of LSB galaxies.
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