Interacting supernovae and supernova impostors. SN 2007sv: the major eruption of a massive star in UGC 5979

We report the results of the photometric and spectroscopic monitoring campaign of the transient SN 2007sv. The observables are similar to those of type IIn supernovae, a well-known class of objects whose ejecta interact with pre-existing circum-stellar material. The spectra show a blue continuum at early phases and prominent Balmer lines in emission, however, the absolute magnitude at the discovery of SN 2007sv (M_R = - 14.25 +/- 0.38) indicate it to be most likely a supernova impostor. This classification is also supported by the lack of evidence in the spectra of very high velocity material as expected in supernova ejecta. In addition we find no unequivocal evidence of broad lines of alpha - and/or Fe-peak elements. The comparison with the absolute light curves of other interacting objects (including type IIn supernovae) highlights the overall similarity with the prototypical impostor SN 1997bs. This supports our claim that SN 2007sv was not a genuine supernova, and was instead a supernova impostor, most likely similar to the major eruption of a luminous blue variable.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 15 pages, 11 figures, 5 table

The Supernova Impostor Impostor SN 1961V: Spitzer Shows That Zwicky Was Right (Again)

SN 1961V, one of Zwicky's defining Type V supernovae (SN), was a peculiar transient in NGC 1058 that has variously been categorized as either a true core collapse SN leaving a black hole (BH) or neutron star (NS) remnant, or an eruption of a luminous blue variable (LBV) star. The former case is suggested by its association with a decaying non-thermal radio source, while the latter is suggested by its peculiar transient light curve and its low initial expansion velocities. The crucial difference is that the star survives a transient eruption but not an SN. All stars identified as possible survivors are significantly fainter, L_opt ~ 10^5 Lsun, than the L_opt ~ 3 10^6 Lsun progenitor star at optical wavelengths. While this can be explained by dust absorption in a shell of material ejected during the transient, the survivor must then be present as a L_IR ~ 3 10^6 Lsun mid-infrared source. Using archival Spitzer observations of the region, we show that such a luminous mid-IR source is not present. The brightest source of dust emission is only L_IR ~ 10^5 Lsun and does not correspond to the previously identified candidates for the surviving star. The dust cannot be made sufficiently distant and cold to avoid detection unless the ejection energy, mass and velocity scales are those of a SN or greater. We conclude that SN 1961V was a peculiar, but real, supernova. Its peculiarities are probably due to enhanced mass loss just prior to the SN, followed by the interactions of the SN blast wave with this ejecta. This adds to the evidence that there is a population of SN progenitors that have major mass loss episodes shortly before core collapse. The progenitor is a low metallicity, ~1/3 solar, high mass, M_ZAMS > 80 Msun, star, which means either that BH formation can be accompanied by an SN or that surprisingly high mass stars can form a NS.Comment: 26 pages, 7 figures, submitted to Ap

Our Comeback Story: Impostor Syndrome in the Archival Profession

In 2019, a group of archivists participated in two conference sessions focused on impostor syndrome in the archives field. Though no comprehensive study on impostor syndrome has been undertaken in the archives profession, the authors listened to numerous stories of the phenomenon among audience members. This perspectives article considers the presence and impact of impostor syndrome in the archives field. The authors define the phenomenon, review literature on its influences in the information science profession, include stories of archives professionals working with impostor syndrome, and offer suggestions for working through impostor syndrome

Do I Belong? Imposter Syndrome in Times of Crisis

While not a new phenomenon, impostor syndrome is still a relatively new topic among library professionals. Though prior studies for other professions exist, impostor syndrome in the library profession was not extensively researched until 2014. As the world fights the current global pandemic, new questions about impostor syndrome and work-from-home strategies arise. This article reviews the early history of impostor syndrome research, explores impostor syndrome research related to library professionals and work during an ongoing public health emergency, considers ways to combat the phenomenon, and suggests next steps

Black Women College Students, Impostor Phenomenon, Stereotypes, and Mental Health: A Mixed-Methods Approach

The present research project expands on impostor phenomenon (IP) literature by incorporating an intentional intersectional framework using two studies to determine if IP mediates (explains) the relationship between group stereotype threat susceptibility and mental health outcomes for Black women college students attending predominantly White institutions. by including a diary study to ascertain the frequency, intensity, and triggers for impostor beliefs, this project provides support for context dependent impostorism. It provides clarification around what types of situations precede the endorsement of heightened impostor beliefs for Black women college students. This project answers the following research questions amongst a sample of Black women college students attending predominantly White institutions: 1) Do global impostor feelings mediate the relationship between the endorsement of group stereotypical beliefs and mental health outcomes? and 2) Utilizing a diary study methodology, does situational context (race, gender, status of those involved, number of those involved) influence event-contingent endorsement of impostor beliefs? Findings from the first research question indicate that impostor beliefs mediate (explain) the relationship between increased endorsement of group stereotypical beliefs and anxiety (partial mediation) and depression (full mediation). for the second research question, a grounded theory analysis found four themes related to events that trigger impostor beliefs for this student sample: Negative Classroom Dynamics, Concerns About Others\u27 Perceptions of Their Competence, Viewing Self and Abilities Negatively, and Negative Experiences with Authority. Findings for the second research question also indicate that increased frequency of impostor belief events was related to a higher proportion of emotional intensity. Regarding characteristics of the triggering impostor belief events, only events that included eleven or more individuals were associated with increased frequency of impostor belief triggering events

The Impostor Phenomenon in the Classroom: Personality and Cognitive Correlates

This study was designed as an ex post facto investigation of the Impostor Phenomenon (IP) in high-achieving students on the secondary educational level. The purpose of the study was to ascertain if impostors could be differentiated from non-impostors on the basis of gender, grade level, grade point average (GPA), personality characteristics and irrational beliefs. A cutoff score of 40 on the Harvey IP Scale was selected a priori to divide subjects into impostor and non-impostor groups. Subjects for this investigation consisted of 104 honors English students in grades nine through twelve from a large suburban high school in Southeastern Virginia. Each subject completed the Harvey IP Scale, Demographic Data Form, Adjective Check List (ACL) and Jones\u27s Irrational Beliefs Test (IBT). Separate chi-square analyses revealed that the proportion of impostors and non-impostors remained constant across both gender and grade level. The results of a one-way analysis of variance indicated that the impostor and non-impostor groups did not differ significantly on mean GPA. A stepwise discriminant analysis of the ACL Need Scales revealed that three variables (Succorance, Deference and Intraception) combined to significantly differentiate the impostor and non-impostor groups. A stepwise discriminant analysis of the IBT scales showed that a combination of High Self-Expectation, Anxious Overconcern, Dependency and Emotional Irresponsibility significantly separated the impostor and non-impostor groups. The null hypotheses relating to gender, grade level and GPA were supported by the data. The null hypotheses relating to the Need Scales of the ACL and the IBT scales were not supported by the data. The Adapted Child scale of the ACL was the best single predictor of the IP

What is impostor syndrome?

People are described as suffering from impostor syndrome when they feel that their external markers of success are unwarranted, and fear being revealed as a fraud. Impostor syndrome is commonly framed as a troubling individual pathology, to be overcome through self-help strategies or therapy. But in many situations an individual’s impostor attitudes can be epistemically justified, even if they are factually mistaken: hostile social environments can create epistemic obstacles to self-knowledge. The concept of impostor syndrome prevalent in popular culture needs greater critical scrutiny, as does its source, the concept of impostor phenomenon which features in psychological research.PostprintNon peer reviewe