186 research outputs found
Constraints on the environment and energetics of the Broad-Line Ic SN2014ad from deep radio and X-ray observations
Broad-line type Ic Supernovae (BL-Ic SNe) are characterized by high ejecta
velocity ( km s) and are sometimes associated with the
relativistic jets typical of long duration ( s) Gamma-Ray Bursts
(L-GRBs). The reason why a small fraction of BL-Ic SNe harbor relativistic jets
is not known. Here we present deep X-ray and radio observations of the BL-Ic
SN2014ad extending from to days post explosion. SN2014ad was not
detected at either frequency and has no observational evidence of a GRB
counterpart. The proximity of SN2014ad ( Mpc) enables very deep
constraints on the progenitor mass-loss rate and on the total energy
of the fast ejecta . We consider two synchrotron emission scenarios for a
wind-like circumstellar medium (CSM): (i) uncollimated non-relativistic ejecta,
and (ii) off-axis relativistic jet. Within the first scenario our observations
are consistent with GRB-less BL-Ic SNe characterized by a modest energy budget
of their fast ejecta ( erg), like SNe 2002ap and 2010ay.
For jetted explosions, we cannot rule out a GRB with erg
(beam-corrected) with a narrow opening angle ()
observed moderately off-axis () and
expanding in a very low CSM density ( M
yr). Our study shows that off-axis low-energy jets expanding in a
low-density medium cannot be ruled out even in the most nearby BL-Ic SNe with
extensive deep observations, and might be a common feature of BL-Ic SNe.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, accepted in Ap
One thousand days of SN 2015bn: HST imaging shows a light curve flattening consistent with magnetar predictions
We present the first observations of a Type I superluminous supernova (SLSN)
at days after maximum light. We observed SN 2015bn using the
Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys in the F475W, F625W and
F775W filters at 721 days and 1068 days. SN 2015bn is clearly detected and
resolved from its compact host, allowing reliable photometry. A galaxy template
constructed from these data further enables us to isolate the SLSN flux in deep
ground-based imaging. We measure a light curve decline rate at days of
mag (100 d), much shallower than the earlier evolution,
and slower than previous SLSNe (at any phase) or the decay rate of Co.
Neither additional radioactive isotopes nor a light echo can consistently
account for the slow decline. A spectrum at 1083 days shows the same [O I] and
[Ca II] lines as seen at days, with no new features to indicate
strong circumstellar interaction. Radio limits with the Very Large Array rule
out an extended wind for mass-loss rates M yr (where is the wind velocity in
units of 10 km s). The optical light curve is consistent with , which we show is expected for magnetar spin-down with inefficient
trapping; furthermore, the evolution matches predictions from earlier magnetar
model fits. The opacity to magnetar radiation is constrained at
cm g, consistent with photon-matter pair-production over a broad
GeV-TeV range. This suggests the magnetar spectral energy distribution,
and hence the 'missing energy' leaking from the ejecta, may peak in this range.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJL, updated to match accepted versio
Rapid radio flaring during an anomalous outburst of SS Cyg
The connection between accretion and jet production in accreting white dwarf binary systems, especially dwarf novae, is not well understood. Radio wavelengths provide key insights into the mechanisms responsible for accelerating electrons, including jets and outflows. Here, we present densely sampled radio coverage, obtained with the Arcminute MicroKelvin Imager Large Array, of the dwarf nova SS Cyg during its 2016 February anomalous outburst. The outburst displayed a slower rise (3 dmag-1) in the optical than typical ones and lasted for more than three weeks. Rapid radio flaring on time-scales <1 h was seen throughout the outburst. The most intriguing behaviour in the radio was towards the end of the outburst where a fast, luminous ('giant'), flare peaking at ~20 mJy and lasting for 15 min was observed. This is the first time that such a flare has been observed in SS Cyg and insufficient coverage could explain its non-detection in previous outbursts. These data, together with past radio observations, are consistent with synchrotron emission from plasma ejection events as being the origin of the radio flares. However, the production of the giant flare during the declining accretion rate phase remains unexplained within the standard accretion-jet framework and appears to be markedly different to similar patterns of behaviour in X-ray binaries
Improved constraints on H0 from a combined analysis of gravitational-wave and electromagnetic emission from GW170817
The luminosity distance measurement of GW170817 derived from GW analysis in
Abbott et al. 2017 (here, A17:H0) is highly correlated with the measured
inclination of the NS-NS system. To improve the precision of the distance
measurement, we attempt to constrain the inclination by modeling the broad-band
X-ray-to-radio emission from GW170817, which is dominated by the interaction of
the jet with the environment. We update our previous analysis and we consider
the radio and X-ray data obtained at days since merger. We find that the
afterglow emission from GW170817 is consistent with an off-axis relativistic
jet with energy
propagating into an environment with density , with preference for wider jets (opening angle
deg). For these jets, our modeling indicates an off-axis angle deg. We combine our constraints on with the
joint distance-inclination constraint from LIGO. Using the same
km/sec peculiar velocity uncertainty assumed in A17:H0 but with an inclination
constraint from the afterglow data, we get a value of \mbox{km/s/Mpc}, which is higher than the value of
\mbox{km/s/Mpc} found in A17:H0. Further,
using a more realistic peculiar velocity uncertainty of 250 km/sec derived from
previous work, we find km/s/Mpc for H0 from
this system. We note that this is in modestly better agreement with the local
distance ladder than the Planck CMB, though a significant such discrimination
will require such events. Future measurements at days of the
X-ray and radio emission will lead to tighter constraints.Comment: Submitted to ApJL. Comments Welcome. Revised uncertainties in v
SN 2016coi (ASASSN-16fp): an energetic H-stripped core-collapse supernova from a massive stellar progenitor with large mass loss
We present comprehensive observations and analysis of the energetic
H-stripped SN 2016coi (a.k.a. ASASSN-16fp), spanning the -ray through
optical and radio wavelengths, acquired within the first hours to 420
days post explosion. Our campaign confirms the identification of He in the SN
ejecta, which we interpret to be caused by a larger mixing of Ni into the outer
ejecta layers. From the modeling of the broad bolometric light curve we derive
a large ejecta mass to kinetic energy ratio (, ). The small
[\ion{Ca}{ii}] \lam\lam7291,7324 to [\ion{O}{i}] \lam\lam6300,6364 ratio
(0.2) observed in our late-time optical spectra is suggestive of a large
progenitor core mass at the time of collapse. We find that SN 2016coi is a
luminous source of X-rays ( in the first
days post explosion) and radio emission ( at peak). These values are in line with those
of relativistic SNe (2009bb, 2012ap). However, for SN 2016coi we infer
substantial pre-explosion progenitor mass-loss with rate and a sub-relativistic shock
velocity , in stark contrast with relativistic SNe and similar
to normal SNe. Finally, we find no evidence for a SN-associated shock breakout
-ray pulse with energy . While we
cannot exclude the presence of a companion in a binary system, taken together,
our findings are consistent with a massive single star progenitor that
experienced large mass loss in the years leading up to core-collapse, but was
unable to achieve complete stripping of its outer layers before explosion.Comment: Submitted to ApJ. Main text: 21 pages; Appendix: 15 pages; 12 figure
AT2023fhn (the Finch):a luminous fast blue optical transient at a large offset from its host galaxy
Luminous fast blue optical transients (LFBOTs) – the prototypical example being AT 2018cow – are a rare class of events whose origins are poorly understood. They are characterized by rapid evolution, featureless blue spectra at early times, and luminous X-ray and radio emission. LFBOTs thus far have been found exclusively at small projected offsets from star-forming host galaxies. We present Hubble Space Telescope, Gemini, Chandra, and Very Large Array observations of a new LFBOT, AT 2023fhn. The Hubble Space Telescope data reveal a large offset (>3.5 half-light radii) from the two closest galaxies, both at redshift z ∼ 0.24. The location of AT 2023fhn is in stark contrast with previous events, and demonstrates that LFBOTs can occur in a range of galactic environments
AT2023fhn (the Finch): a Luminous Fast Blue Optical Transient at a large offset from its host galaxy
Luminous Fast Blue Optical Transients (LFBOTs) - the prototypical example
being AT 2018cow - are a rare class of events whose origins are poorly
understood. They are characterised by rapid evolution, featureless blue spectra
at early times, and luminous X-ray and radio emission. LFBOTs thus far have
been found exclusively at small projected offsets from star-forming host
galaxies. We present Hubble Space Telescope, Gemini, Chandra and Very Large
Array observations of a new LFBOT, AT2023fhn. The Hubble Space Telescope data
reveal a large offset (greater than 3.5 half-light radii) from the two closest
galaxies, both at a redshift of 0.24. The isolated environment of AT 2023fhn is
in stark contrast with previous events, is challenging to explain with most
LFBOT progenitor models, and calls into question the homogeneity of LFBOTs as a
class.Comment: Submitted to MNRASL. 7 pages, 4 figures, 2 table
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