540 research outputs found
SN 2016jhj at redshift 0.34: extending the Type II supernova Hubble diagram using the standard candle method
Although Type Ia supernova cosmology has now reached a mature state, it is important to develop as many independent methods as possible to understand the true nature of dark energy. Recent studies have shown that Type II supernovae (SNe II) offer such a path and could be used as alternative distance indicators. However, the majority of these studies were unable to extend the Hubble diagram above redshift z = 0.3 because of observational limitations. Here, we show that we are now ready to move beyond low redshifts and attempt high-redshift (z ≳ 0.3) SN II cosmology as a result of new-generation deep surveys such as the Subaru/Hyper Suprime-Cam survey. Applying the ´standard candle method´ to SN 2016jhj (z = 0.3398 ± 0.0002; discovered by HSC) together with a low-redshift sample, we are able to construct the highest-redshift SN II Hubble diagram to date with an observed dispersion of 0.27 mag (i.e. 12-13 per cent in distance). This work demonstrates the bright future of SN II cosmology in the coming era of large, wide-field surveys like that of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope.Fil: de Jaeger, T.. University of California at Berkeley; Estados UnidosFil: Galbany, L.. University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown; Estados UnidosFil: Filippenko, A. V.. University of California at Berkeley; Estados UnidosFil: González Gaitán, S.. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Yasuda, N.. University of Tokio; JapónFil: Maeda, K.. University of Tokio; JapónFil: Tanaka, M.. University of Tokio; JapónFil: Morokuma, T.. University of Tokio; JapónFil: Moriya, T. J.. National Astronomical Observatory of Japan; JapónFil: Tominaga, N.. University of Tokyo; JapónFil: Nomoto, Ken’ichi. University of Tokyo; JapónFil: Komiyama, Y.. National Astronomical Observatory of Japan; JapónFil: Anderson, J. P.. European Southern Observatory; ChileFil: Brink, T. G.. University of California at Berkeley; Estados UnidosFil: Carlberg, R. G.. University of Toronto; CanadáFil: Folatelli, Gaston. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas; Argentina. University of Tokyo; JapónFil: Hamuy, M.. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Pignata, G.. Universidad Andrés Bello; ChileFil: Zheng, W.. University of California at Berkeley; Estados Unido
Ultraviolet Diversity of Type Ia Supernovae
Ultraviolet (UV) observations of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) probe the
outermost layers of the explosion, and UV spectra of SNe Ia are expected to be
extremely sensitive to differences in progenitor composition and the details of
the explosion. Here we present the first study of a sample of high
signal-to-noise ratio SN Ia spectra that extend blueward of 2900 A. We focus on
spectra taken within 5 days of maximum brightness. Our sample of ten SNe Ia
spans the majority of the parameter space of SN Ia optical diversity. We find
that SNe Ia have significantly more diversity in the UV than in the optical,
with the spectral variance continuing to increase with decreasing wavelengths
until at least 1800 A (the limit of our data). The majority of the UV variance
correlates with optical light-curve shape, while there are no obvious and
unique correlations between spectral shape and either ejecta velocity or
host-galaxy morphology. Using light-curve shape as the primary variable, we
create a UV spectral model for SNe Ia at peak brightness. With the model, we
can examine how individual SNe vary relative to expectations based on only
their light-curve shape. Doing this, we confirm an excess of flux for SN 2011fe
at short wavelengths, consistent with its progenitor having a subsolar
metallicity. While most other SNe Ia do not show large deviations from the
model, ASASSN-14lp has a deficit of flux at short wavelengths, suggesting that
its progenitor was relatively metal rich.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, submitted to MNRA
Supernova 2012ec: Identification of the progenitor and early monitoring with PESSTO
We present the identification of the progenitor of the Type IIP SN 2012ec in
archival pre-explosion HST WFPC2 and ACS/WFC F814W images. The properties of
the progenitor are further constrained by non-detections in pre-explosion WFPC2
F450W and F606W images. We report a series of early photometric and
spectroscopic observations of SN 2012ec. The r'-band light curve shows a
plateau with M(r')=-17.0. The early spectrum is similar to the Type IIP SN
1999em, with the expansion velocity measured at Halpha absorption minimum of
-11,700 km/s (at 1 day post-discovery). The photometric and spectroscopic
evolution of SN 2012ec shows it to be a Type IIP SN, discovered only a few days
post-explosion (<6d). We derive a luminosity for the progenitor, in comparison
with MARCS model SEDs, of log L/Lsun = 5.15+/-0.19, from which we infer an
initial mass range of 14-22Msun. This is the first SN with an identified
progenitor to be followed by the Public ESO Spectroscopic Survey of Transient
Objects (PESSTO).Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, MNRAS accepte
Optically variable active galactic nuclei in the 3 yr VST survey of the COSMOS field
The analysis of the variability of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) at different
wavelengths and the study of possible correlations among different spectral
windows are nowadays a major field of inquiry. Optical variability has been
largely used to identify AGNs in multivisit surveys. The strength of a
selection based on optical variability lies in the chance to analyze data from
surveys of large sky areas by ground-based telescopes. However the
effectiveness of optical variability selection, with respect to other
multiwavelength techniques, has been poorly studied down to the depth expected
from next generation surveys. Here we present the results of our r-band
analysis of a sample of 299 optically variable AGN candidates in the VST survey
of the COSMOS field, counting 54 visits spread over three observing seasons
spanning > 3 yr. This dataset is > 3 times larger in size than the one
presented in our previous analysis (De Cicco et al. 2015), and the observing
baseline is ~8 times longer. We push towards deeper magnitudes (r(AB) ~23.5
mag) compared to past studies; we make wide use of ancillary multiwavelength
catalogs in order to confirm the nature of our AGN candidates, and constrain
the accuracy of the method based on spectroscopic and photometric diagnostics.
We also perform tests aimed at assessing the relevance of dense sampling in
view of future wide-field surveys. We demonstrate that the method allows the
selection of high-purity (> 86%) samples. We take advantage of the longer
observing baseline to achieve great improvement in the completeness of our
sample with respect to X-ray and spectroscopically confirmed samples of AGNs
(59%, vs. ~15% in our previous work), as well as in the completeness of
unobscured and obscured AGNs. The effectiveness of the method confirms the
importance to develop future, more refined techniques for the automated
analysis of larger datasets.Comment: 21 pages, 10 figures; accepted for publication in A&
A Relativistic Type Ibc Supernova Without a Detected Gamma-ray Burst
Long duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) mark the explosive death of some
massive stars and are a rare sub-class of Type Ibc supernovae (SNe Ibc). They
are distinguished by the production of an energetic and collimated relativistic
outflow powered by a central engine (an accreting black hole or neutron star).
Observationally, this outflow is manifested in the pulse of gamma-rays and a
long-lived radio afterglow. To date, central engine-driven SNe have been
discovered exclusively through their gamma-ray emission, yet it is expected
that a larger population goes undetected due to limited satellite sensitivity
or beaming of the collimated emission away from our line-of-sight. In this
framework, the recovery of undetected GRBs may be possible through radio
searches for SNe Ibc with relativistic outflows. Here we report the discovery
of luminous radio emission from the seemingly ordinary Type Ibc SN 2009bb,
which requires a substantial relativistic outflow powered by a central engine.
The lack of a coincident GRB makes SN 2009bb the first engine-driven SN
discovered without a detected gamma-ray signal. A comparison with our extensive
radio survey of SNe Ibc reveals that the fraction harboring central engines is
low, ~1 percent, measured independently from, but consistent with, the inferred
rate of nearby GRBs. Our study demonstrates that upcoming optical and radio
surveys will soon rival gamma-ray satellites in pinpointing the nearest
engine-driven SNe. A similar result for a different supernova is reported
independently.Comment: To appear in Nature on Jan 28 2010. Embargoed for discussion in the
press until 13:00 US Eastern Time on Jan 27 (Accepted version, 27 pages,
Manuscript and Suppl. Info.
Multiwavelength analysis of three SNe associated with GRBs observed by GROND
After the discovery of the first connection between GRBs and SNe almost two
decades ago, tens of SN-like rebrightenings have been discovered and about
seven solid associations have been spectroscopically confirmed to date. Using
GROND optical/NIR data and Swift X-ray/UV data, we estimate the intrinsic
extinction, luminosity, and evolution of three SN rebrightenings in GRB
afterglow light curves at z~0.5. The SNe 2008hw, 2009nz, and 2010ma exhibit
0.80, 1.15, and 1.78 times the optical (r band) luminosity of SN 1998bw,
respectively. While SN 2009nz evolves similarly to SN 1998bw, SNe 2008hw and
2010ma show earlier peak times. The quasi-bolometric light curves were
corrected for the contribution of the NIR bands using data available in the
literature and blackbody fits. The large luminosity of SN 2010ma (1.4x10^43
erg/s) is confirmed, while SNe 2008hw and 2009nz reached a peak luminosity
closer to SN 1998bw. Physical parameters of the SN explosions, such as
synthesised nickel mass, ejecta mass, and kinetic energy, are estimated using
Arnett's analytic approach, which resulted in nickel masses of around 0.4-0.5
Msun. By means of the a very comprehensive data set, we found that the
luminosity and the nickel mass of SNe 2008hw, 2009nz, and 2010ma resembles
those of other known GRB-associated SNe. This findings strengthens previous
claims of GRB-SNe being brighter than type-Ic SNe unaccompanied by GRBs.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy &
Astrophysics, abstract abridge
Accumulation of Aluminium and Physiological Status of Tree Foliage in the Vicinity of a Large Aluminium Smelter
A pollution gradient was observed in tree foliage sampled in the vicinity of a large aluminium production facility in Patagonia (Argentina). Leaves of Eucalyptus rostrata, and Populus hybridus and different needle ages of Pinus spec. were collected and concentrations of aluminium (Al) and sulphur (S) as well as physiological parameters (chlorophyll and lipid oxidation products) were analyzed. Al and S concentrations indicate a steep pollution gradient in the study showing a relationship with the physiological parameters in particular membrane lipid oxidation products. The present study confirms that aluminium smelting results in high Al and sulphur deposition in the study area, and therefore further studies should be carried out taking into account potentially adverse effects of these compounds on human and ecosystem health
THE HIGH CADENCE TRANSIENT SURVEY (HITS). I. SURVEY DESIGN AND SUPERNOVA SHOCK BREAKOUT CONSTRAINTS
Indexación: Web of Science; Scopus.We present the first results of the High Cadence Transient Survey (HiTS), a survey for which the objective is to detect and follow-up optical transients with characteristic timescales from hours to days, especially the earliest hours of supernova (SN) explosions. HiTS uses the Dark Energy Camera and a custom pipeline for image subtraction, candidate filtering and candidate visualization, which runs in real-time to be able to react rapidly to the new transients. We discuss the survey design, the technical challenges associated with the real-time analysis of these large volumes of data and our first results. In our 2013, 2014, and 2015 campaigns, we detected more than 120 young SN candidates, but we did not find a clear signature from the short-lived SN shock breakouts (SBOs) originating after the core collapse of red supergiant stars, which was the initial science aim of this survey. Using the empirical distribution of limiting magnitudes from our observational campaigns, we measured the expected recovery fraction of randomly injected SN light curves, which included SBO optical peaks produced with models from Tominaga et al. (2011) and Nakar & Sari (2010). From this analysis, we cannot rule out the models from Tominaga et al. (2011) under any reasonable distributions of progenitor masses, but we can marginally rule out the brighter and longer-lived SBO models from Nakar & Sari (2010) under our best-guess distribution of progenitor masses. Finally, we highlight the implications of this work for future massive data sets produced by astronomical observatories, such as LSST.http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/0004-637X/832/2/155/meta;jsessionid=76BDFFFE378003616F6DBA56A9225673.c4.iopscience.cld.iop.or
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