675 research outputs found
The Carnegie Supernova Project I. Photometry data release of low-redshift stripped-envelope supernovae
The first phase of the Carnegie Supernova Project (CSP-I) was a dedicated supernova follow-up program based at the Las Campanas Observatory that collected science data of young, low-redshift supernovae between 2004 and 2009. Presented in this paper is the CSP-I photometric data release of low-redshift stripped-envelope core-collapse supernovae. The data consist of optical (uBgVri) photometry of 34 objects, with a subset of 26 having near-infrared (YJH) photometry. Twenty objects have optical pre-maximum coverage with a subset of 12 beginning at least five days prior to the epoch of B-band maximum brightness. In the near-infrared, 17 objects have pre-maximum observations with a subset of 14 beginning at least five days prior to the epoch of J-band maximum brightness. Analysis of this photometric data release is presented in companion papers focusing on techniques to estimate host-galaxy extinction and the light-curve and progenitor star properties of the sample. The analysis of an accompanying visual-wavelength spectroscopy sample of ~150 spectra will be the subject of a future paper
Near-Infrared Properties of Type Ia Supernovae
The photometric properties of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) in the
near-infrared as garnered from observations made over the last 30 years are
reviewed. During this period, light curves for more than 120 nearby SNe Ia have
been published, revealing considerable homogeneity but also some fascinating
differences. These data have confirmed that, for all but the fastest declining
objects, SNe Ia are essentially perfect standard candles in the near-infrared,
displaying only a slight dependence of peak luminosity on decline rate and
color.Comment: Accepted for publication in PASA, 24 pages, 9 figures; corrected
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A metallicity study of 1987A-like supernova host galaxies
The origin of the blue supergiant (BSG) progenitor of Supernova (SN) 1987A
has long been debated, along with the role that its sub-solar metallicity
played. We now have a sample of 1987A-like SNe that arise from the core
collapse (CC) of BSGs. The metallicity of the explosion sites of the known BSG
SNe is investigated, as well as their association to star-forming regions. Both
indirect and direct metallicity measurements of 13 BSG SN host galaxies are
presented, and compared to those of other CC SN types. Indirect measurements
are based on the known luminosity-metallicity relation and on published
metallicity gradients of spiral galaxies. To provide direct estimates based on
strong line diagnostics, we obtained spectra of each BSG SN host both at the SN
explosion site and at the positions of other HII regions. Continuum-subtracted
Ha images allowed us to quantify the association between BSG SNe and
star-forming regions. BSG SNe explode either in low-luminosity galaxies or at
large distances from the nuclei of luminous hosts. Therefore, their indirectly
measured metallicities are typically lower than those of SNe IIP and Ibc. This
is confirmed by the direct estimates, which show slightly sub-solar values
(12+log(O/H)=8.3-8.4 dex), similar to that of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC),
where SN 1987A exploded. However, two SNe (1998A and 2004em) were found at near
solar metallicity. SNe IIb have a metallicity distribution similar to that of
BSG SNe. Finally, the association to star-forming regions is similar among BSG
SNe, SNe IIP and IIn. Our results suggest that LMC metal abundances play a role
in the formation of some 1987A-like SNe. This would naturally fit in a single
star scenario for the progenitors. However, the existence of two events at
nearly solar metallicity suggests that also other channels, e.g. binarity,
contribute to produce BSG SNe.Comment: 28 pages, 17 figures; accepted for publication (Astronomy and
Astrophysics); abstract abridged for arXiv submissio
On the Progenitor and Supernova of the SN 2002cx-like Supernova 2008ge
We present observations of supernova (SN) 2008ge, which is spectroscopically
similar to the peculiar SN 2002cx, and its pre-explosion site that indicate
that its progenitor was probably a white dwarf. NGC 1527, the host galaxy of SN
2008ge, is an S0 galaxy with no evidence of star formation or massive stars.
Astrometrically matching late-time imaging of SN 2008ge to pre-explosion HST
imaging, we constrain the luminosity of the progenitor star. Since SN 2008ge
has no indication of hydrogen or helium in its spectrum, its progenitor must
have lost its outer layers before exploding, requiring that it be a white
dwarf, a Wolf-Rayet star, or a lower-mass star in a binary system. Observations
of the host galaxy show no signs of individual massive stars, star clusters, or
H II regions at the SN position or anywhere else, making a Wolf-Rayet
progenitor unlikely. Late-time spectroscopy of SN 2008ge show strong [Fe II]
lines with large velocity widths compared to other members of this class at
similar epochs. These previously unseen features indicate that a significant
amount of the SN ejecta is Fe (presumably the result of radioactive decay of
56Ni generated in the SN), further supporting a thermonuclear explosion.
Placing the observations of SN 2008ge in the context of observations of other
objects in the class of SN, we suggest that the progenitor was most likely a
white dwarf.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, accepted by A
Late-time emission of type Ia supernovae: optical and near-infrared observations of SN 2001el
We present optical and near-infrared light curves of SN 2001el from 310 to
445 days past maximum light, obtained with the Very Large Telescope. The
late-time optical (UBVRI) light curves decay in a nearly linear fashion with
decay time scales of 1.43\pm0.14, 1.43\pm0.06, 1.48\pm0.06, 1.45\pm0.07, and
1.03\pm0.07 magnitudes (per hundred days) in the U, B, V, R and I bands,
respectively. In contrast, in the near-infrared (JHKs) bands the time evolution
of the flux appears to be nearly constant at these epochs. We measure decline
rates (per hundred days) of 0.19\pm0.10 and 0.17\pm0.11 magnitudes in the J and
H bands, respectively. We construct a UVOIR light curve, and find that the
late-time luminosity has a decay time scale nearly consistent with complete
depostion of positron kinetic energy. The late-time light curves of the normal
type Ia SN 2001el demonstrate the increased importance of the near-infrared
contribution. This was previously observed in the peculiar SN 2000cx, and the
results for SN 2001el thus ensure that the conclusions previously based on a
single peculiar event are applicable to normal type Ia supernovae. The measured
late-time UVOIR decline rate suggests that a majority of the positrons are
trapped within the ejecta. This results does not favor the predictions of a
weak and/or radially combed magnetic field configuration.Comment: 4 pages with 2 figures plus 7 tables. Accepted for publication in A&A
letter. Constructive comments welcome
An Atlas of Spectrophotometric Landolt Standard Stars
We present CCD observations of 102 Landolt standard stars obtained with the
R-C spectrograph on the CTIO 1.5 m telescope. Using stellar atmosphere models
we have extended the flux points to our six spectrophotometric secondary
standards, in both the blue and the red, allowing us to produce flux-calibrated
spectra that span a wavelength range from 3050 \AA to 1.1 \micron. Mean
differences between UBVRI spectrophotometry computed using Bessell's standard
passbands and Landolt's published photometry is found to be 1% or less.
Observers in both hemispheres will find these spectra useful for
flux-calibrating spectra and through the use of accurately constructed
instrumental passbands be able to compute accurate corrections to bring
instrumental magnitudes to any desired standard photometric system
(S-corrections). In addition, by combining empirical and modeled spectra of the
Sun, Sirius and Vega, we calculate and compare synthetic photometry to observed
photometry taken from the literature for these three stars.Comment: Added referee's comments, minor corrections, replaced Table 1
Metallicity at the explosion sites of interacting transients
Context. Some circumstellar-interacting (CSI) supernovae (SNe) are produced
by the explosions of massive stars that have lost mass shortly before the SN
explosion. There is evidence that the precursors of some SNe IIn were luminous
blue variable (LBV) stars. For a small number of CSI SNe, outbursts have been
observed before the SN explosion. Eruptive events of massive stars are named as
SN impostors (SN IMs) and whether they herald a forthcoming SN or not is still
unclear. The large variety of observational properties of CSI SNe suggests the
existence of other progenitors, such as red supergiant (RSG) stars with
superwinds. Furthermore, the role of metallicity in the mass loss of CSI SN
progenitors is still largely unexplored. Aims. Our goal is to gain insight on
the nature of the progenitor stars of CSI SNe by studying their environments,
in particular the metallicity at their locations. Methods. We obtain
metallicity measurements at the location of 60 transients (including SNe IIn,
SNe Ibn, and SN IMs), via emission-line diagnostic on optical spectra obtained
at the Nordic Optical Telescope and through public archives. Metallicity values
from the literature complement our sample. We compare the metallicity
distributions among the different CSI SN subtypes and to those of other
core-collapse SN types. We also search for possible correlations between
metallicity and CSI SN observational properties. Results. We find that SN IMs
tend to occur in environments with lower metallicity than those of SNe IIn.
Among SNe IIn, SN IIn-L(1998S-like) SNe show higher metallicities, similar to
those of SNe IIL/P, whereas long-lasting SNe IIn (1988Z-like) show lower
metallicities, similar to those of SN IMs. The metallicity distribution of SNe
IIn can be reproduced by combining the metallicity distributions of SN IMs
(that may be produced by major outbursts of massive stars like LBVs) and SNe
IIP (produced by RSGs). The same applies to the distributions of the Normalized
Cumulative Rank (NCR) values, which quantifies the SN association to H II
regions. For SNe IIn, we find larger mass-loss rates and higher CSM velocities
at higher metallicities. The luminosity increment in the optical bands during
SN IM outbursts tend to be larger at higher metallicity, whereas the SN IM
quiescent optical luminosities tend to be lower. Conclusions. The difference in
metallicity between SNe IIn and SN IMs suggests that LBVs are only one of the
progenitor channels for SNe IIn, with 1988Z-like and 1998S-like SNe possibly
arising from LBVs and RSGs, respectively. Finally, even though linedriven winds
likely do not primarily drive the late mass-loss of CSI SN progenitors,
metallicity has some impact on the observational properties of these
transients. Key words. supernovae: general - stars: evolution - galaxies:
abundancesComment: Submitted to Astronomy and Astrophysics on 28/02/2015; submitted to
arXiv after the 1st referee repor
Optical photometry and spectroscopy of the 1987A-like supernova 2009mw
We present optical photometric and spectroscopic observations of the
1987A-like supernova (SN) 2009mw. Our and photometry covers
167 days of evolution, including the rise to the light curve maximum, and ends
just after the beginning of the linear tail phase. We compare the observational
properties of SN 2009mw with those of other SNe belonging to the same subgroup,
and find that it shows similarities to several objects. The physical parameters
of the progenitor and the SN are estimated via hydrodynamical modelling,
yielding an explosion energy of foe, a pre-SN mass of , a progenitor radius as and a Ni mass
as . These values indicate that the progenitor of SN
2009mw was a blue supergiant star, similar to the progenitor of SN 1987A. We
examine the host environment of SN 2009mw and find that it emerged from a
population with slightly sub-solar metallicty.Comment: 11 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
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