Observation and interpretation of type IIB supernova explosions

Premi extraordinari doctorat UPC curs 2015-2016, àmbit de CiènciesCore-collapse supernovae (CC-SNe) explosions represent the final demise of massive stars. Among the various types, there is a group of relatively infrequent CC-SNe termed type IIb, which appear to be hybrids between normal type II SNe (those characterised by H emission) and type Ib (those that lack H features in their spectra but exhibit prominent HeI lines). The nature of the stellar progenitors leading to type IIb SNe is currently unknown, although two channels are contemplated: single massive stars that have lost part of their outer envelope as a consequence of stellar winds, and massive stars that shed mass by Roche-Lobe overflow to a companion. The latter is in fact the favoured scenario for most of the objects observed up to now. In the majority of cases, when there are no direct progenitor detections, some hints about type IIb SN progenitors (e.g., initial mass) can be derived indirectly from the objects' light curves (LCs) and spectra. Motivated by the relatively few well-sampled observational datasets that exist up to date for type IIb SNe and the unknowns on their progenitors, we carried out extensive observations (mainly in the optical domain) for the young type IIb SNe 2011fu and 2013df. Both these SNe are particularly interesting because they show a first LC peak caused by shock breakout, followed by a secondary 56Ni-decay-powered maximum. The analysis of the data for SNe 2011fu and 2013df points to precursors that seem to have been stars with large radii (of the order of 100~RSun), with low mass hydrogen envelopes (tenths of MSun), and relatively low initial masses (12-18 MSun), which could have formed part of interacting binary systems. The nature of a third SN IIb candidate, OGLE-2013-SN-100, proved to be enigmatic. OGLE-2013-SN-100, shows a first peak in the LC, and other characteristics somewhat similar to those of type IIb SNe. However, after a deeper analysis, we conclude OGLE-2013-SN-100 is likely not a SN of type IIb. We provide an alternative possible explanation for this object, which implies a combination of a SN explosion and interaction of its ejecta with circumstellar-material. SNe~2011fu and 2013df were included in a larger sample of type IIb SNe to carry out a comparative study of their observables and environment. Regarding the host galaxies, 90% of the objects are located in giant (r<-18 mag) hosts. In addition, the SNe are about equally split in low star formation and high star formation rate spiral galaxies. Concerning the SN ultra-violet (UV), optical, and near-infrared (NIR) LCs, we find a dispersion in both shape and brightness. Particularly, a few objects show a sharp declining early phase in the UV and double-peaked optical-NIR LCs. However, the absence of a first LC peak, in some of the cases, may be due to lack of early observations. In addition, we found dispersion in the evolution of the colour indices of the SNe, making the colour comparison method not suitable to estimate extinction toward a type IIb SN. In the optical domain, the study of the (secondary) peak brightness in the R band shows that low luminosity events could be uncommon and the average brightness of the sample is ~-17.5 mag. As for the spectral properties, the SNe that show an early spike in their LCs exhibit blue, shallow-lined early-time spectra and arise from extended progenitors (R~100 RSun). Additionally, while there is an overall resemblance of the measured ejecta velocities, there is also dispersion of equivalent widths, nebular line luminosities and ratios among all the objects that could indicate differences in the ionisation state of the ejecta and mixing. All in all, we find heterogeineity in the studied observables of the sample of type IIb SNe, which reflects the variety of their explosion parameters and progenitor properties.Las supernovas de colapso gravitatorio (CC-SNe) representan el fin de la evolución de estrellas masivas. Entre otros tipos, hay un grupo de CC-SNe relativamente infrecuentes denominado SNe IIb, que aparentan ser híbridos entre SNe de tipo II (con emisión de H) y tipo Ib (que carecen de H pero sí presentan HeI). La naturaleza de los progenitores de las SNe IIb es desconocida, aunque se contemplan dos escenarios: estrellas muy masivas, que pierden parte de su envoltura por vientos estelares, y estrellas masivas, que forman parte de un sistema binario y han cedido masa a una compañera antes de explotar. Este segundo escenario es de hecho el más favorable para la mayor parte de las SNe IIb observadas hasta ahora. En la mayoría de los casos, cuando no hay detecciones directas de los progenitores de las SNe IIb, pueden obtenerse pistas sobre su naturaleza (e.g. masa inicial) a partir de las curvas de luz (LC) y espectros de las SNe. Motivados por el bajo número de SNe IIb observadas en detalle y las incógnitas sobre sus progenitores, hemos hecho observaciones intensivas (principalmente en el rango óptico) de dos SNe IIb jóvenes: SNe 2011fu y 2013df. Ambas SNe son particularmente interesantes porque presentan un primer máximo en su LC, debido al shock breakout y que ha sido escasamente observado para otras SNe, seguido de un segundo máximo provocado por el decaimiento radiactivo del 56Ni. El análisis de los datos de SNe 2011fu y 2013df apunta a que sus precursores parecen haber sido estrellas con radios del orden de 100 Rsol, con envolturas de H de baja masa (décimas de Msol) y con masas iniciales relativamente bajas (12-18 Msol), lo que apunta a que podrían haber formado parte de sistemas estelares binarios. La naturaleza de un tercer objeto candidato a SN IIb, OGLE-2013-SN-100, resultó ser enigmática. OGLE-2013-SN-100, presenta un primer máximo en su LC y otras características parecidas a las SNe IIb. Sin embargo, tras un análisis profundo de sus datos, concluimos que probablemente no sea una SN IIb y damos una posible explicación alternativa para este objeto, que implica la combinación de una SN y la interacción del material eyectado con material circunestelar. SNe 2011fu y 2013df fueron incluidas en una muestra de SNe IIb para hacer un estudio comparativo de sus observables y entorno. Con respecto a las galaxias en las que tienen lugar, 90% de los objetos están localizados en galaxias gigantes (r<-18 mag). Además las SNe están divididas prácticamente por igual en galaxias con alta y con baja formación estelar. En relación a las LCs en el ultravioleta (UV), óptico e infrarrojo cercano (NIR), encontramos dispersión tanto en la forma como en el brillo. Particularmente, algunos objetos presentan LC con una caída pronunciada en fases tempranas en el UV y curvas de luz con dos máximos en el óptico-NIR. Hemos encontrado además dispersión en la evolución de los índices de color de las SNe, lo que hace que el método de comparación de colores no sea adecuado para estimar la extinción hacia una SN IIb. En el rango óptico, el estudio del máximo (secundario) en las curvas de luz en banda R muestra que los objetos de baja luminosidad podrían ser poco comunes y que la magnitud media del máximo está en torno a -17.5 mag. Con respecto a las propiedades espectrales, las SNe que muestran un primer máximo en la LC tienen espectros tempranos azules con líneas poco pronunciadas y provienen de progenitores extensos (R~100Rsol). Además, mientras que las velocidades del material eyectado en la explosiones de las distintas SNe son parecidas, hay dispersión en las anchuras equivalentes de las líneas y en las luminosidades y ratios de las líneas nebulares de los distintos objetos lo que podría indicar diferencias en el estado de ionización y grado de mezcla. En definitiva, encontramos heterogeneidad en los observables de la muestra de SNe IIb, lo que refleja la variedad en los parámetros de explosión y en las características de sus progenitores.Award-winningPostprint (published version

SN 2013df, a double-peaked IIb supernova from a compact progenitor and an extended H envelope

Optical observations of the type IIb SN 2013df from a few days to about 250 days after explosion are presented. These observations are complemented with UV photometry taken by \textit{SWIFT} up to 60 days post-explosion. The double-peak optical light curve is similar to those of SNe 1993J and 2011fu although with different decline and rise rates. From the modelling of the bolometric light curve, we have estimated that the total mass of synthesised $^{56}$Ni in the explosion is $\sim0.1$ M$_{\odot}$, while the ejecta mass is $0.8-1.4$ M$_{\odot}$ and the explosion energy $0.4-1.2 \times 10^{51}$erg. In addition, we have estimated a lower limit to the progenitor radius ranging from $64-169$ $R_{\odot}$. The spectral evolution indicates that SN 2013df had a hydrogen envelope similar to SN 1993J ($\sim 0.2$ M$_{\odot}$). The line profiles in nebular spectra suggest that the explosion was asymmetric with the presence of clumps in the ejecta, while the [O\,{\sc i}] $\lambda$$\lambda$$6300$, $6364$ luminosities, may indicate that the progenitor of SN 2013df was a relatively low mass star ( $\sim 12-13$ M$_{\odot}$).Comment: 18 pages, 11 figures, 9 tables, accepted for publication in MNRA

The supernova impostor PSN J09132750+7627410 and its progenitor

We report the results of our follow-up campaign of the supernova impostor PSN J09132750+7627410, based on optical data covering $\sim250\,\rm{d}$. From the beginning, the transient shows prominent narrow Balmer lines with P-Cygni profiles, with a blue-shifted absorption component becoming more prominent with time. Along the $\sim3\,\rm{months}$ of the spectroscopic monitoring, broad components are never detected in the hydrogen lines, suggesting that these features are produced in slowly expanding material. The transient reaches an absolute magnitude $M_r=-13.60\pm0.19\,\rm{mag}$ at maximum, a typical luminosity for supernova impostors. Amateur astronomers provided $\sim4\,\rm{years}$ of archival observations of the host galaxy, NGC 2748. The detection of the quiescent progenitor star in archival images obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope suggests it to be an $18-20$\msun white-yellow supergiant.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, supplemental material available in the source file. Accepted for publication on Astrophysical Journal Letter

Massive stars exploding in a He-rich circumstellar medium - VIII. PSN J07285387+3349106, a highly reddened supernova Ibn

We present spectroscopic and photometric observations for the Type Ibn supernova (SN) dubbed PSN J07285387+3349106. Using data provided by amateur astronomers, we monitored the photometric rise of the SN to maximum light, occurred on 2015 February 18.8 UT (JD(max,V) = 2457072.0 +- 0.8). PSN J07285387+3349106 exploded in the inner region of an infrared luminous galaxy, and is the most reddened SN Ibn discovered so far. We apply multiple methods to derive the total reddening to the SN, and determine a total colour excess E(B-V)(tot) = 0.99 +- 0.48 mag. Accounting for the reddening correction, which is affected by a large uncertainty, we estimate a peak absolute magnitude of M(V) = -20.30 +- 1.50. The spectra are dominated by continuum emission at early phases, and He I lines with narrow P-Cygni profiles are detected. We also identify weak Fe III and N II features. All these lines show an absorption component which is blue-shifted by about 900-1000 km/s. The spectra also show relatively broad He I line wings with low contrast, which extend to above 3000 km/s. From about 2 weeks past maximum, broad lines of O I, Mg II and the Ca II near-infrared triplet are identified. The composition and the expansion velocity of the circumstellar material, and the presence of He I and alpha-elements in the SN ejecta indicate that PSN J07285387+3349106 was produced by the core-collapse of a stripped-envelope star. We suggest that the precursor was WNE-type Wolf-Rayet star in its dense, He-rich circumstellar cocoon.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRA

The multi-faceted Type II-L supernova 2014G from pre-maximum to nebular phase

We present multi-band ultraviolet, optical, and near-infrared photometry, along with visual-wavelength spectroscopy, of supernova (SN) 2014G in the nearby galaxy NGC 3448 (25 Mpc). The early-phase spectra show strong emission lines of the high ionisation species He II/N IV/C IV during the first 2-3 d after explosion, traces of a metal-rich CSM probably due to pre-explosion mass loss events. These disappear by day 9 and the spectral evolution then continues matching that of normal Type II SNe. The post-maximum light curve declines at a rate typical of Type II-L class. The extensive photometric coverage tracks the drop from the photospheric stage and constrains the radioactive tail, with a steeper decline rate than that expected from the $^{56}$Co decay if $\gamma$-rays are fully trapped by the ejecta. We report the appearance of an unusual feature on the blue-side of H$\alpha$ after 100 d, which evolves to appear as a flat spectral feature linking H$\alpha$ and the O I doublet. This may be due to interaction of the ejecta with a strongly asymmetric, and possibly bipolar CSM. Finally, we report two deep spectra at ~190 and 340 d after explosion, the latter being arguably one of the latest spectra for a Type II-L SN. By modelling the spectral region around the Ca II, we find a supersolar Ni/Fe production. The strength of the O I $\lambda\lambda$6300,6363 doublet, compared with synthetic nebular spectra, suggests a progenitor with a zero-age main-sequence mass between 15 and 19 M$_\odot$.Comment: 24 pages, 14 figure

Optical and near infrared observations of SN 2014ck: an outlier among the Type Iax supernovae

We present a comprehensive set of optical and near-infrared photometric and spectroscopic observations for SN 2014ck, extending from pre-maximum to six months later. These data indicate that SN 2014ck is photometrically nearly identical to SN 2002cx, which is the prototype of the class of peculiar transients named SNe Iax. Similar to SN 2002cx, SN 2014ck reached a peak brightness $M_B=-17.37 \pm 0.15$ mag, with a post-maximum decline-rate $\Delta m_{15} (B) = 1.76 \pm 0.15$ mag. However, the spectroscopic sequence shows similarities with SN 2008ha, which was three magnitudes fainter and faster declining. In particular, SN 2014ck exhibits extremely low ejecta velocities, $\sim 3000$ km s$^{-1}$ at maximum, which are close to the value measured for SN 2008ha and half the value inferred for SN 2002cx. The bolometric light curve of SN 2014ck is consistent with the production of $0.10^{+0.04}_{-0.03} M_{\odot}$ of $^{56}$Ni. The spectral identification of several iron-peak features, in particular Co II lines in the NIR, provides a clear link to SNe Ia. Also, the detection of narrow Si, S and C features in the pre-maximum spectra suggests a thermonuclear explosion mechanism. The late-phase spectra show a complex overlap of both permitted and forbidden Fe, Ca and Co lines. The appearance of strong [Ca~II] $\lambda\lambda$7292, 7324 again mirrors the late-time spectra of SN 2008ha and SN 2002cx. The photometric resemblance to SN 2002cx and the spectral similarities to SN 2008ha highlight the peculiarity of SN 2014ck, and the complexity and heterogeneity of the SNe Iax class.Comment: MNRAS Accepted 2016 March 22. Received 2016 March

SNhunt151: An explosive event inside a dense cocoon

Indexación: Scopus.We thank S. Spiro, R. Rekola, A. Harutyunyan, and M. L. Graham for their help with the observations. We are grateful to the collaboration of Massimo Conti, Giacomo Guerrini, Paolo Rosi, and Luz Marina Tinjaca Ramirez from the Osservatorio Astronomico Provinciale di Montarrenti. The staffs at the different observatories provided excellent assistance with the observations.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement No. 267251, ‘Astronomy Fellowships in Italy’ (AstroFIt)’. NE-R acknowledges financial support from MIUR PRIN 2010-2011, ‘The Dark Universe and the Cosmic Evolution of Baryons: From Current Surveys to Euclid’. NE-R, AP, SB, LT, MT, and GP are partially supported by the PRIN-INAF 2014 (project ‘Transient Universe: Unveiling New Types of Stellar Explosions with PESSTO’). GP acknowledges support provided by the Millennium Institute of Astrophysics (MAS) through grant IC120009 of the Programa Iniciativa Cientíifica Milenio del Ministerio de Economía, Fomento y Turismo de Chile. TK acknowledges financial support from the Emil Aaltonen Foundation. CRTS was supported by the NSF grants AST-0909182, AST-1313422, and AST-1413600. AVF is grateful for generous financial assistance from the Christopher R. Redlich Fund, the TABASGO Foundation, the Miller Institute for Basic Research in Science (UC Berkeley), and NASA/HST grant GO-14668 from the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by AURA, Inc. under NASA contract NAS5-26555. The work of AVF was conducted in part at the Aspen Center for Physics, which is supported by NSF grantPHY-1607611; he thanks the Center for its hospitality during the neutron stars workshop in June and July 2017. NE-R acknowledges the hospitality of the ‘Institut de Ciències de l'Espai (CSIC), where this work was completed.This research is based on observations made with the Nordic Optical Telescope, operated by the Nordic Optical Telescope Scientific Association at the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos, La Palma, Spain, of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias; the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), installed in the Spanish Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, on the island of La Palma; the Italian Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG), operated on the island of La Palma by the Fundaci Galileo Galilei of the INAF (Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica) at the Spanish Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias; the Liverpool Telescope, operated on the island of La Palma by Liverpool John Moores University in the Spanish Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias with financial support from the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council; the 1.82-m Copernico Telescope and the Schmidt 67/92 cm of INAF-Asiago Observatory; the Catalina Real Time Survey (CRTS) Catalina Sky Survey (CSS) 0.7-m Schmidt Telescope; and the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) network. This work is also based in part on archival data obtained with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained from the Data Archive at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), Inc., under NASA contract NAS5-26555; the Spitzer Space Telescope, which is operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with NASA (support was provided by NASA through an award issued by JPL/Caltech); and the Swift telescope.This work has made use of the NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database (NED), which is operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under contract with NASA.SNhunt151 was initially classified as a supernova (SN) impostor (nonterminal outburst of a massive star). It exhibited a slow increase in luminosity, lasting about 450 d, followed by a major brightening that reaches M V ≈ -18 mag. No source is detected to M V ≳ -13 mag in archival images at the position of SNhunt151 before the slow rise. Low-to-mid-resolution optical spectra obtained during the pronounced brightening show very little evolution, being dominated at all times by multicomponent Balmer emission lines, a signature of interaction between the material ejected in the new outburst and the pre-existing circumstellar medium. We also analysed mid-infrared images from the Spitzer Space Telescope, detecting a source at the transient position in 2014 and 2015. Overall, SNhunt151 is spectroscopically a Type IIn SN, somewhat similar to SN 2009ip. However, there are also some differences, such as a slow pre-discovery rise, a relatively broad light-curve peak showing a longer rise time (~50 d), and a slower decline, along with a negligible change in the temperature around the peak (T ≤ 10 4 K). We suggest that SNhunt151 is the result of an outburst, or an SN explosion, within a dense circumstellar nebula, similar to those embedding some luminous blue variables like η Carinae and originating from past mass-loss events. © 2017 The Author(s).https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/475/2/2614/479530

SN 2015ba: A type IIP supernova with a long plateau

We present optical photometry and spectroscopy from about a week after explosion to $\sim$272 d of an atypical Type IIP supernova, SN 2015ba, which exploded in the edge-on galaxy IC 1029. SN 2015ba is a luminous event with an absolute V-band magnitude of -17.1$\pm$0.2 mag at 50 d since explosion and has a long plateau lasting for $\sim$123 d. The distance to the SN is estimated to be 34.8$\pm$0.7 Mpc using the expanding photosphere and standard candle methods. High-velocity H-Balmer components constant with time are observed in the late-plateau phase spectra of SN 2015ba, which suggests a possible role of circumstellar interaction at these phases. Both hydrodynamical and analytical modelling suggest a massive progenitor of SN 2015ba with a pre-explosion mass of 24-26 M$_\odot$. However, the nebular spectra of SN 2015ba exhibit insignificant levels of oxygen, which is otherwise expected from a massive progenitor. This might be suggestive of the non-monotonical link between O-core masses and the zero-age main-sequence mass of pre-supernova stars and/or uncertainties in the mixing scenario in the ejecta of supernovae.Comment: 42 pages, 7 pages Appendix, 20 figures, 10 tables, Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 14-June-201

Fomento del aprendizaje colaborativo mediante la mentorización entre iguales / Promoting collaborative learning through peer mentoring

La actividad realizada por el alumnado durante las sesiones prácticas de cualquier asignatura es una parte fundamental del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje. Estos entornosson ideales para aplicar técnicas de aprendizaje colaborativo destinadas a que el alumno desarrolle competencias relacionadas con la resolución de problemas propuestos y el trabajo en equipo. Con el objetivo de fomentar el trabajo colaborativo y hacer que los alumnos se involucren en mayor medida en su propio proceso de aprendizaje, se ha incluido una actividad de mentorización entre iguales dentro de las sesiones prácticas. En esta actividad se le asigna una práctica a cada pequeño grupo de alumnos para que actúen como mentores. Esto implica que dicho grupo de alumnos debe comprender bien los contenidos relacionados con la práctica que mentorizan, así como su ejecución, para poder guiar y ayudar al resto de sus compañeros en la realización de dicha práctica. Los resultados del estudio realizado después de la realización de la actividad de mentorización muestran que esta actividad ha aumentado el grado de comprensión de los contenidos impartidos y mejorado la capacidad del alumnado para trabajar en equipo