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- Pastorello, A., et al.
(author)
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A giant outburst two years before the core-collapse of a massive star
- 2007
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In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 447:7146, s. 829-832
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The death of massive stars produces a variety of supernovae, which are linked to the structure of the exploding stars(1,2). 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(4) 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(5), 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.
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- Pastorello, A., et al.
(author)
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ESC and KAIT observations of the transitional type Ia SN 2004eo
- 2007
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In: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 377:4, s. 1531-1552
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present optical and infrared observations of the unusual Type Ia supernova (SN) 2004eo. The light curves and spectra closely resemble those of the prototypical SN 1992A, and the luminosity at maximum (M-B = -19.08) is close to the average for a Type Ia supernova (SN Ia). However, the ejected Ni-56 mass derived by modelling the bolometric light curve (about 0.45M(circle dot)) lies near the lower limit of the Ni-56 mass distribution observed in normal SNe Ia. Accordingly, SN 2004eo shows a relatively rapid post-maximum decline in the light curve [Delta m(15)(B)(true) = 1.46], small expansion velocities in the ejecta and a depth ratio Si II lambda 5972/ Si II lambda 6355 similar to that of SN 1992A. The physical properties of SN 2004eo cause it to fall very close to the boundary between the faint, low-velocity gradient and high-velocity gradient subgroups proposed by Benetti et al. Similar behaviour is seen in a few other SNe Ia. Thus, there may in fact exist a few SNe Ia with intermediate physical properties.
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3. |
- Valenti, S., et al.
(author)
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The Carbon-rich Type Ic SN 2007gr : The Photospheric Phase
- 2008
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 673:2, s. L155-L158
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 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.
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5. |
- Harutyunyan, A. H., et al.
(author)
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ESC supernova spectroscopy of non-ESC targets
- 2008
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 488:1, s. 383-399
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims. We present the spectra of 36 supernovae (SNe) of various types, obtained by the European Supernova Collaboration. Because of the spectral classification and the phase determination at their discovery the SNe did not warrant further study, and the spectra we present are the only ones available for the respective objects. In this paper we present and discuss this material using a new software for the automated classification of SNe spectra. Methods. As a validation of the software, we verify the classification and phase estimate reported for these objects in their discovery/classification circulars. For the comparison, the software uses the library of template spectra of Padova-Asiago Supernova Archive (ASA). Results. For each spectrum of our sample we present a brief, individual discussion, highlighting the main characteristics and possible peculiarities. The comparison with ASA spectra confirms the previous classification of all objects and refines the age estimates. For our software, we determine numerical limits of ""safe"" spectral classification and the uncertainties of the phase determination.
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6. |
- Mazzali, P. A., et al.
(author)
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High-Velocity Features : A Ubiquitous Property of Type Ia Supernovae
- 2005
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 623, s. L37-L40
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Evidence of high-velocity features (HVFs) such as those seen in the near-maximum spectra of some Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia; e.g., SN 2000cx) has been searched for in the available SN Ia spectra observed earlier than 1 week before B maximum. Recent observational efforts have doubled the number of SNe Ia with very early spectra. Remarkably, all SNe Ia with early data (seven in our Research Training Network sample and 10 from other programs) show signs of such features, to a greater or lesser degree, in Ca II IR and some also in the Si II λ6355 line. HVFs may be interpreted as abundance or density enhancements. Abundance enhancements would imply an outer region dominated by Si and Ca. Density enhancements may result from the sweeping up of circumstellar material (CSM) by the highest velocity SN ejecta. In this scenario, the high incidence of HVFs suggests that a thick disk and/or a high-density companion wind surrounds the exploding white dwarf, as may be the case in single degenerate systems. Large-scale angular fluctuations in the radial density and abundance distribution may also be responsible: this could originate in the explosion and would suggest a deflagration as the more likely explosion mechanism. CSM interaction and surface fluctuations may coexist, possibly leaving different signatures on the spectrum. In some SNe, the HVFs are narrowly confined in velocity, suggesting the ejection of blobs of burned material.
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10. |
- Altavilla, G., et al.
(author)
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The early spectral evolution of SN2004dt
- 2007
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 475:2, s. 585-595
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims. We study the optical spectroscopic properties of Type Ia Supernova (SNIa) 2004dt, focusing our attention on the early epochs. Methods. Observation triggered soon after the SN 2004dt discovery allowed us to obtain a spectrophotometric coverage from day -10 to almost one year (similar to 353 days) after the B band maximum. Observations carried out on an almost daily basis allowed us a good sampling of the fast spectroscopic evolution of SN 2004dt in the early stages. To obtain this result, low-resolution, long-slit spectroscopy was obtained using a number of facilities. Results. This supernova, which in some absorption lines of its early spectra showed the highest degree of polarization ever measured in any SN Ia, has a complex velocity structure in the outer layers of its ejecta. Unburnt oxygen is present, moving at velocities as high as similar to 16 700 km s(-1), with some intermediate-mass elements (Mg, Si, Ca) moving equally fast. Modeling of the spectra based on standard density profiles of the ejecta fails to reproduce the observed features, whereas enhancing the density of outer layers significantly improves the fit. Our analysis indicates the presence of clumps of high-velocity, intermediate-mass elements in the outermost layers, which is also suggested by the spectropolarimetric data.
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