159 research outputs found
Optical observations of the luminous Type IIn Supernova 2010jl for over 900 days
The luminous Type IIn Supernova (SN) 2010jl shows strong evidence for the
interaction of the SN ejecta with dense circumstellar material (CSM). We
present observations of SN 2010jl for d after its earliest
detection, including a sequence of optical spectra ranging from to
d. We also supplement our late time spectra and the photometric
measurements in the literature with an additional epoch of new, late time
photometry. Combining available photometric and spectroscopic data, we
derive a semi-bolometric optical light curve and calculate a total radiated
energy in the optical for SN 2010jl of erg. We also
examine the evolution of the H emission line profile in detail and find
evidence for asymmetry in the profile for d that is not easily
explained by any of the proposed scenarios for this fascinating event. Finally,
we discuss the interpretations from the literature of the optical and
near-infrared light curves, and propose that the most likely explanation of
their evolution is the formation of new dust in the dense, pre-existing CSM
wind after d.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures, 5 tables. Full version of Table 3 is included
as an ancillary fil
Far-Ultraviolet to Near-Infrared Spectroscopy of A Nearby Hydrogen Poor Superluminous Supernova Gaia16apd
We report the first maximum-light far-Ultraviolet to near-infrared spectra
(1000A - 1.62um, rest) of a H-poor superluminous supernova, Gaia16apd. At
z=0.1018, it is one of the closest and the UV brightest such events, with 17.4
(AB) magnitude in Swift UV band (1928A) at -11days pre-maximum. Assuming an
exponential form, we derived the rise time of 33days and the peak bolometric
luminosity of 3x10^{44}ergs^-1. At maximum light, the estimated photospheric
temperature and velocity are 17,000K and 14,000kms^-1 respectively. The
inferred radiative and kinetic energy are roughly 1x10^{51} and 2x10^{52}erg.
Gaia16apd is extremely UV luminous, emitting 50% of its total luminosity at
1000 - 2500A. Compared to the UV spectra (normalized at 3100A) of well studied
SN1992A (Ia), SN2011fe(Ia), SN1999em (IIP) and SN1993J (IIb), it has orders of
magnitude more far-UV emission. This excess is interpreted primarily as a
result of weaker metal line blanketing due to much lower abundance of
iron-group elements in the outer ejecta. Because these elements originate
either from the natal metallicity of the star, or have been newly produced, our
observation provides direct evidence that little of these freshly synthesized
material, including 56Ni, was mixed into the outer ejecta, and the progenitor
metallicity is likely sub-solar. This disfavors Pair-Instability Supernova
(PISN) models with Helium core masses >=90Msun, where substantial 56Ni material
is produced. Higher photospheric temperature of Gaia16apd than that of normal
SNe may also contribute to the observed far-UV excess. We find some indication
that UV luminous SLSNe-I like Gaia16apd could be common. Using the UV spectra,
we show that WFIRST could detect SLSNe-I out to redshift of 8.Comment: 19 pages. Match with the version accepted in Ap
SPIRITS 15c and SPIRITS 14buu: Two Obscured Supernovae in the Nearby Star-Forming Galaxy IC 2163
SPIRITS---SPitzer InfraRed Intensive Transients Survey---is an ongoing survey
of nearby galaxies searching for infrared (IR) transients with Spitzer/IRAC. We
present the discovery and follow-up observations of one of our most luminous
( mag, Vega) and red (
mag) transients, SPIRITS 15c. The transient was detected in a dusty spiral arm
of IC 2163 ( Mpc). Pre-discovery ground-based imaging revealed an
associated, shorter-duration transient in the optical and near-IR (NIR). NIR
spectroscopy showed a broad ( km s), double-peaked
emission line of He I at m, indicating an explosive origin. The NIR
spectrum of SPIRITS 15c is similar to that of the Type IIb SN 2011dh at a phase
of days. Assuming mag of extinction in SPIRITS 15c
provides a good match between their optical light curves. The IR light curves
and the extreme color cannot be explained using only a standard
extinction law. Another luminous ( mag) event, SPIRITS
14buu, was serendipitously discovered in the same galaxy. The source displays
an optical plateau lasting days, and we suggest a scenario similar
to the low-luminosity Type IIP SN 2005cs obscured by mag.
Other classes of IR-luminous transients can likely be ruled out in both cases.
If both events are indeed SNe, this may suggest of nearby
core-collapse SNe are missed by currently operating optical surveys.Comment: 19 pages, 7 Figures, 4 Table
SPIRITS 16tn in NGC 3556: A heavily obscured and low-luminosity supernova at 8.8 Mpc
We present the discovery by the SPitzer InfraRed Intensive Transients Survey
(SPIRITS) of a likely supernova (SN) in NGC 3556 at only 8.8 Mpc, which,
despite its proximity, was not detected by optical searches. A luminous
infrared (IR) transient at mag (Vega), SPIRITS 16tn is
coincident with a dust lane in the inclined, star-forming disk of the host.
Using IR, optical, and radio observations, we attempt to determine the nature
of this event. We estimate 8 - 9 mag of extinction, placing it
among the three most highly obscured IR-discovered SNe to date. The [4.5] light
curve declined at a rate of 0.013 mag day, and the color
grew redder from 0.7 to 1.0 mag by 184.7 days post discovery.
Optical/IR spectroscopy shows a red continuum, but no clearly discernible
features, preventing a definitive spectroscopic classification. Deep radio
observations constrain the radio luminosity of SPIRITS 16tn to erg s Hz between 3 - 15 GHz, excluding many
varieties of radio core-collapse SNe. A type Ia SN is ruled out by the observed
red IR color, and lack of features normally attributed to Fe-peak elements in
the optical and IR spectra. SPIRITS 16tn was fainter at [4.5] than typical
stripped-envelope SNe by 1 mag. Comparison of the spectral energy
distribution to SNe II suggests SPIRITS 16tn was both highly obscured, and
intrinsically dim, possibly akin to the low-luminosity SN 2005cs. We infer the
presence of an IR dust echo powered by a peak luminosity of the transient of erg s erg s,
consistent with the observed range for SNe II. This discovery illustrates the
power of IR surveys to overcome the compounding effects of visible extinction
and optically sub-luminous events in completing the inventory of nearby SNe.Comment: 25 pages, 10 figures, submitted to Ap
Recurring outbursts of the supernova impostor AT 2016blu in NGC 4559
We present the first photometric analysis of the supernova (SN) impostor AT
2016blu in NGC 4559. This transient was discovered by the Lick Observatory
Supernova Search in 2012 and has continued its outbursts since then. Optical
and infrared photometry of AT 2016blu reveals at least 19 outbursts in
2012-2022. Similar photometry from 1999-2009 shows no outbursts, indicating
that the star was relatively stable in the decade before discovery. Archival
{\it Hubble Space Telescope} observations suggest that the progenitor had a
minimum initial mass of M and a luminosity of L. AT 2016blu's outbursts show irregular variability with
multiple closely spaced peaks having typical amplitudes of 1-2 mag and
durations of 1-4 weeks. While individual outbursts have irregular light curves,
concentrations of these peaks recur with a period of d. Based
on this period, we predict times for upcoming outbursts in 2023 and 2024. AT
2016blu shares similarities with SN 2000ch in NGC 3432, where outbursts may
arise from periastron encounters in an eccentric binary containing a luminous
blue variable (LBV). We propose that AT 2016blu's outbursts are also driven by
interactions that intensify around periastron in an eccentric system. Intrinsic
variability of the LBV-like primary star may cause different intensity and
duration of binary interaction at each periastron passage. AT 2016blu also
resembles the periastron encounters of Carinae prior to its Great
Eruption and the erratic pre-SN eruptions of SN 2009ip. This similarity and the
onset of eruptions in the past decade hint that AT 2016blu may also be headed
for a catastrophe, making it a target of great interest.Comment: 18 pages, 14 figures, 6 tables, MNRAS Accepte
Optical observations of the luminous Type IIn Supernova 2010jl for over 900 d
The luminous Type IIn Supernova (SN) 2010jl shows strong evidence for the interaction of the SN ejecta with dense circumstellar material (CSM). We present observations of SN 2010jl for t ∼ 900 d after its earliest detection, including a sequence of optical spectra ranging from t = 55 to 909 d. We also supplement our late time spectra and the photometric measurements in the literature with an additional epoch of new, late time BVRI photometry. Combining available photometric and spectroscopic data, we derive a semi-bolometric optical light curve and calculate a total radiated energy in the optical for SN 2010jl of ∼3.5 × 10^(50) erg, confirming the result of Fransson et al. We also examine the evolution of the Hα emission line profile in detail and find evidence for asymmetry in the profile for t ≳ 775 d that is not easily explained by any of the proposed scenarios for this fascinating event. Finally, we discuss the interpretations from the literature of the optical and near-infrared light curves, and propose that the most likely explanation of their evolution is the formation of new dust in the dense, pre-existing CSM wind after ∼300 d
Progenitor, Precursor and Evolution of the Dusty Remnant of the Stellar Merger M31-LRN-2015
M31-2015-LRN is a likely stellar merger discovered in the Andromeda Galaxy in 2015. We present new optical to mid-infrared photometry and optical spectroscopy for this event. The transient brightened by ∼3 mag as compared to its progenitor. The complex precursor emission, which started ∼2 years before the nova event, may be explained by the binary undergoing Roche-lobe overflow. The dynamical mass loss from the outer Lagrange point L2 creates an optically thick outflow to power the observed brightening of the system. We find two possible periods of 16±0.3 and 28.1±1.4 days at different phases of the precursor lightcurve, possibly related to the geometry of the mass-loss from the binary. Although the progenitor spectral energy distribution shows no evidence of pre-existing warm dust in system, the remnant forms an optically thick dust shell 2−4 months after the outburst peak. The optical depth of the shell increases after 1.5 years, suggesting the existence of shocks that enhance the dust formation process. We propose that the merger remnant is likely an inflated giant obscured by a cooling shell of gas with mass ∼0.2 M⊙ ejected at the onset of the common envelope phase
JWST Imaging of the Cartwheel Galaxy Reveals Dust Associated with SN 2021afdx
We present near- and mid-infrared (0.9-18 m) photometry of supernova
(SN) 2021afdx, which was imaged serendipitously with the James Webb Space
Telescope (JWST) as part of its Early Release Observations of the Cartwheel
Galaxy. Our ground-based optical observations show it is likely to be a Type
IIb SN, the explosion of a yellow supergiant, and its infrared spectral energy
distribution (SED) 200 days after explosion shows two distinct
components, which we attribute to hot ejecta and warm dust. By fitting models
of dust emission to the SED, we derive a dust mass of , which is the highest yet observed in a Type IIb SN
but consistent with other Type II SNe observed by the Spitzer Space Telescope.
We also find that the radius of the dust is significantly larger than the
radius of the ejecta, as derived from spectroscopic velocities during the
photospheric phase, which implies that we are seeing an infrared echo off of
preexisting dust in the progenitor environment, rather than dust newly formed
by the SN. Our results show the power of JWST to address questions of dust
formation in SNe, and therefore the presence of dust in the early universe,
with much larger samples than have been previously possible.Comment: updated to match accepted versio
Unveiling the dynamic infrared sky with Gattini-IR
While optical and radio transient surveys have enjoyed a renaissance over the past decade, the dynamic infrared sky remains virtually unexplored. The infrared is a powerful tool for probing transient events in dusty regions that have high optical extinction, and for detecting the coolest of stars that are bright only at these wavelengths. The fundamental roadblocks in studying the infrared time-domain have been the overwhelmingly bright sky background (250 times brighter than optical) and the narrow field-of-view of infrared cameras (largest is 0.6 sq deg). To begin to address these challenges and open a new observational window in the infrared, we present Palomar Gattini-IR: a 25 sq degree, 300mm aperture, infrared telescope at Palomar Observatory that surveys the entire accessible sky (20,000 sq deg) to a depth of 16.4 AB mag (J band, 1.25μm) every night. Palomar Gattini-IR is wider in area than every existing infrared camera by more than a factor of 40 and is able to survey large areas of sky multiple times. We anticipate the potential for otherwise infeasible discoveries, including, for example, the elusive electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational wave detections. With dedicated hardware in hand, and a F/1.44 telescope available commercially and cost-effectively, Palomar Gattini-IR will be on-sky in early 2017 and will survey the entire accessible sky every night for two years. We present an overview of the pathfinder Palomar Gattini-IR project, including the ambitious goal of sub-pixel imaging and ramifications of this goal on the opto-mechanical design and data reduction software.
Palomar Gattini-IR will pave the way for a dual hemisphere, infrared-optimized, ultra-wide field high cadence machine called Turbo Gattini-IR. To take advantage of the low sky background at 2.5 μm, two identical systems will be located at the polar sites of the South Pole, Antarctica and near Eureka on Ellesmere Island, Canada. Turbo Gattini-IR will survey 15,000 sq. degrees to a depth of 20AB, the same depth of the VISTA VHS survey, every 2 hours with a survey efficiency of 97%
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