29 research outputs found
Analytic Inversion of Emission Lines of Arbitrary Optical Depth for the Structure of Supernova Ejecta
We derive a method for inverting emission line profiles formed in supernova
ejecta. The derivation assumes spherical symmetry and homologous expansion
(i.e., ), is analytic, and even takes account of occultation by
a pseudo-photosphere. Previous inversion methods have been developed which are
restricted to optically thin lines, but the particular case of homologous
expansion permits an analytic result for lines of {\it arbitrary} optical
depth. In fact, we show that the quantity that is generically retrieved is the
run of line intensity with radius in the ejecta. This result is
quite general, and so could be applied to resonance lines, recombination lines,
etc. As a specific example, we show how to derive the run of (Sobolev) optical
depth with radius in the case of a pure resonance scattering
emission line.Comment: 6 pages, no figures, to appear in Astrophysical Journal Letters,
requires aaspp4.sty to late
Preliminary Spectral Analysis of the Type II Supernova 1999em
We have calculated fast direct spectral model fits to two early-time spectra
of the Type-II plateau SN 1999em, using the SYNOW synthetic spectrum code. The
first is an extremely early blue optical spectrum and the second a combined HST
and optical spectrum obtained one week later. Spectroscopically this supernova
appears to be a normal Type II and these fits are in excellent agreement with
the observed spectra. Our direct analysis suggests the presence of enhanced
nitrogen. We have further studied these spectra with the full NLTE general
model atmosphere code PHOENIX. While we do not find confirmation for enhanced
nitrogen (nor do we rule it out), we do require enhanced helium. An even more
intriguing possible line identification is complicated Balmer and He I lines,
which we show falls naturally out of the detailed calculations with a shallow
density gradient. We also show that very early spectra such as those presented
here combined with sophisticated spectral modeling allows an independent
estimate of the total reddening to the supernova, since when the spectrum is
very blue, dereddening leads to changes in the blue flux that cannot be
reproduced by altering the ``temperature'' of the emitted radiation. These
results are extremely encouraging since they imply that detailed modeling of
early spectra can shed light on both the abundances and total extinction of SNe
II, the latter improving their utility and reliability as distance indicators.Comment: to appear in ApJ, 2000, 54
Analysis of the Type IIn Supernova 1998S: Effects of Circumstellar Interaction on Observed Spectra
We present spectral analysis of early observations of the Type IIn supernova
1998S using the general non-local thermodynamic equilibrium atmosphere code \tt
PHOENIX}. We model both the underlying supernova spectrum and the overlying
circumstellar interaction region and produce spectra in good agreement with
observations. The early spectra are well fit by lines produced primarily in the
circumstellar region itself, and later spectra are due primarily to the
supernova ejecta. Intermediate spectra are affected by both regions. A
mass-loss rate of order \msol yr is inferred
for a wind speed of 100-1000 \kmps. We discuss how future self-consistent
models will better clarify the underlying progenitor structure.Comment: to appear in ApJ, 2001, 54
Late-Time HST Photometry of SN 1994I: Hints of Positron Annihilation Energy Deposition
We present multicolor Hubble Space Telescope (HST) WFPC2 broadband
observations of the Type Ic SN 1994I obtained approximately 280 days after
maximum light. We measure the brightness of the SN and, relying on the detailed
spectroscopic database of SN 1994I, we transform the ground-based photometry
obtained at early times to the HST photometric system, deriving light curves
for the WFPC2 F439W, F555W, F675W, and F814W passbands that extend from 7 days
before to 280 days after maximum. We use the multicolor photometry to build a
quasi-bolometric light curve of SN 1994I, and compare it with similarly
constructed light curves of other supernovae. In doing so, we propose and test
a scaling in energy and time that allows for a more meaningful comparison of
the exponential tails of different events.
Through comparison with models, we find that the late-time light curve of SN
1994I is consistent with that of spherically symmetric ejecta in homologous
expansion, for which the ability to trap the Gamma-rays produced by the
radioactive decay of 56Co diminishes roughly as the inverse of time squared. We
also find that by the time of the HST photometry, the light curve was
significantly energized by the annihilation of positrons.Comment: To appear in PAS
Evidence for Type Ia Supernova Diversity from Ultraviolet Observations with the Hubble Space Telescope
We present ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy and photometry of four Type Ia
supernovae (SNe 2004dt, 2004ef, 2005M, and 2005cf) obtained with the UV prism
of the Advanced Camera for Surveys on the Hubble Space Telescope. This dataset
provides unique spectral time series down to 2000 Angstrom. Significant
diversity is seen in the near maximum-light spectra (~ 2000--3500 Angstrom) for
this small sample. The corresponding photometric data, together with archival
data from Swift Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope observations, provide further
evidence of increased dispersion in the UV emission with respect to the
optical. The peak luminosities measured in uvw1/F250W are found to correlate
with the B-band light-curve shape parameter dm15(B), but with much larger
scatter relative to the correlation in the broad-band B band (e.g., ~0.4 mag
versus ~0.2 mag for those with 0.8 < dm15 < 1.7 mag). SN 2004dt is found as an
outlier of this correlation (at > 3 sigma), being brighter than normal SNe Ia
such as SN 2005cf by ~0.9 mag and ~2.0 mag in the uvw1/F250W and uvm2/F220W
filters, respectively. We show that different progenitor metallicity or
line-expansion velocities alone cannot explain such a large discrepancy.
Viewing-angle effects, such as due to an asymmetric explosion, may have a
significant influence on the flux emitted in the UV region. Detailed modeling
is needed to disentangle and quantify the above effects.Comment: 17 pages, 13 figures, accepted by Ap