The C flash and the ignition conditions of Type Ia supernovae

Thanks to a stellar evolution code that is able to compute through the C flash we link the binary population synthesis of single degenerate progenitors of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) to their physical condition at the time of ignition. We show that there is a large range of possible ignition densities and we detail how their probability distribution depends on the accretion properties. The low-density peak of this distribution qualitatively reminds of the clustering of the luminosities of Branch-normal SNe Ia. We tighten the possible range of initial physical conditions for explosion models: they form a one-parameter family, independent of the metallicity. We discuss how these results may be modified if we were to relax our hypothesis of a permanent Hachisu wind or if we were to include electron captures.     

Type IIP supernova SN 2004et: a multiwavelength study in X-ray, optical and radio

We present X-ray, broad-band optical and low-frequency radio observations of the bright type IIP supernova SN 2004et. The Chandra X-ray Observatory observed the supernova at three epochs, and the optical coverage spans a period of ∼470 d since explosion. The X-ray emission softens with time, and we characterize the X-ray luminosity evolution as   L _X∝ t ^−0.4  . We use the observed X-ray luminosity to estimate a mass-loss rate for the progenitor star of  ∼2 × 10⁻⁶ M_⊙ yr⁻¹  . The optical light curve shows a pronounced plateau lasting for about 110 d. Temporal evolution of photospheric radius and colour temperature during the plateau phase is determined by making blackbody fits. We estimate the ejected mass of ⁵⁶Ni to be  0.06 ± 0.03 M_⊙  . Using the expressions of Litvinova & Nadëzhin we estimate an explosion energy of  (0.98 ± 0.25) × 10⁵¹ erg  . We also present a single epoch radio observation of SN 2004et. We compare this with the predictions of the model proposed by Chevalier, Fransson & Nymark. These multiwavelength studies suggest a main-sequence progenitor mass of  ∼20 M_⊙  for SN 2004et.     

Globular cluster calibration of the peak brightness of the Type Ia supernova 1992A and the value of H0

We have determined the absolute magnitude at maximum light of SN 1992A by using the turnover magnitude of the globular cluster luminosity function of its parent galaxy, NGC 1380. A recalibration of the peak of the turnover magnitude of the Milky Way clusters using the latest Hipparcos results has been made with an assessment of the complete random and systematic error budget. The following results emerge: a distance to NGC 1380 of 18.6 ± 1.4 Mpc, corresponding to ( m  −  M )  31.35 ± 0.16, and an absolute magnitude of SN 1992A at maximum of M _B (max)  −18.79 ± 0.16. Taken at face value, SN 1992A seems to be more than half a magnitude fainter than the other SNe Ia for which accurate distances exist. We discuss the implications of this result and present possible explanations. We also discuss the Phillips relationship between rate of decline and the absolute magnitude at maximum, on the basis of nine SNe Ia, the individual distances of which have been obtained with Cepheids and the globular cluster luminosity function. The new calibration of this relationship, applied to the most distant SNe of the Calan–Tololo survey, yields H ₀ = 62 ± 6 km s⁻¹ Mpc⁻¹.     

Precursors and e± pair loading from erupting fireballs

Recent observations suggest that long-duration γ -ray bursts and their afterglows are produced by highly relativistic jets emitted in core-collapse explosions. As the jet makes its way out of the stellar mantle, a bow shock runs ahead and a strong thermal precursor is produced as the shock breaks out. Such erupting fireballs produce a very bright γ -ray precursor as they interact with the thermal break-out emission. The prompt γ -ray emission propagates ahead of the fireball before it becomes optically thin, leading to e^± pair loading and radiative acceleration of the external medium. The detection of such precursors would offer the possibility of diagnosing not only the radius of the stellar progenitor and the initial Lorentz factor of the collimated fireball, but also the density of the external environment.     

Nucleosynthesis of 56Ni in wind-driven supernova explosions and constraints on the central engine of gamma-ray bursts

Theoretically expected natures of a supernova (SN) driven by a wind/jet are discussed. Approximate analytical formulations are derived to clarify basic physical processes involved in the wind/jet-driven explosions, and it is shown that the explosion properties are characterized by the energy injection rate     and the mass injection rate     . To explain observations of Supernova 1998bw associated with gamma-ray burst (GRB) 980425, the following conditions are required:     and     (if the wind Lorentz factor  Γ_w∼ 1  ) or     (if  Γ_w≫ 1  ). In Supernova 1998bw, ⁵⁶Ni  (∼0.4 M_⊙)  is probably produced in the shocked stellar mantle, not in the wind. The expected natures of SNe, e.g. ejected ⁵⁶Ni mass and ejecta mass, vary depending on     and     . The sequence of the SN properties from high     and     to low     and     is as follows: Supernova 1998bw-like – intermediate case – low mass ejecta  (≲1 M_⊙)  where ⁵⁶Ni is from the wind – whole collapse. This diversity may explain the diversity of SNe associated with GRBs. Our result can be used to constrain natures of the wind/jet, which are linked to the central engine of GRBs, by studying properties of the associated SNe.     

SN 1988Z: spectro-photometric catalogue and energy estimates★

We present a spectro-photometric catalogue of the evolution of supernova 1988Z, which combines new and published observations in the radio, optical and X-ray bands, with the aim of offering a comprehensive view of the evolution of this object and deriving the total energy radiated since its discovery. The major contribution to the total radiated energy comes at optical to X-ray frequencies, with a total emission of at least 2×10⁵¹ erg (for H₀=50 km s⁻¹ Mpc⁻¹) in 8.5 yr. A model-dependent extrapolation of this value indicates that the total radiated energy may be as high as 10⁵² erg. The high value of the radiated energy supports a scenario in which most of the kinetic energy of the ejecta is thermalized and radiated in a short interaction with a dense circumstellar medium of nearly constant density. In this sense, 1988Z is not a supernova but a young and compact supernova remnant.     

Hubble Space Telescope imaging of the progenitor sites of six nearby core-collapse supernovae

The search for the progenitors of six core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) in archival Hubble Space Telescope ( HST ) WFPC2 pre-explosion imaging is presented. These SNe are 1999an, 1999br, 1999ev, 2000ds, 2000ew and 2001B. Post-explosion imaging of the SNe, with the HST ACS/WFC, has been utilized with the technique of differential astrometry to identify the progenitor locations on the pre-explosion imaging. SNe 1999br, 1999ev, 2000ew and 2001B are recovered in late-time imaging, and estimates of the progenitor locations on the pre-explosion imaging, with subpixel accuracy, have been made. Only the progenitor of the Type II-P SN 1999ev has been recovered, on pre-explosion F555W imaging, at a 4.8σ significance level. Assuming a red supergiant progenitor, the pre-explosion observation is consistent with   M _ZAMS= 15–18 M_⊙  . The progenitors of the other five SNe were below the 3σ detection threshold of the pre-explosion observations. The detection thresholds were translated to mass limits for the progenitors by comparison with stellar evolution models. Pre-explosion observations of the peculiarly faint SN 1999br limit the mass of a red supergiant progenitor to   M _ZAMS < 12 M_⊙  . Analysis has been extended, from previous studies, to include possible detections of high- T _eff, high-mass stars by conducting synthetic photometry of model Wolf–Rayet star spectra. The mass limits for the Type II-P SNe 1999an and 1999br are consistent with previously determined mass limits for this type of SN. The detection limits for the progenitors of the Type Ibc SNe (2000ds, 2000ew and 2001B) do not permit differentiation between high-mass Wolf–Rayet progenitors or low-mass progenitors in binaries.     

Optical and infrared observations of SN 2002dj: some possible common properties of fast-expanding Type Ia supernovae

As part of the European Supernova Collaboration, we obtained extensive photometry and spectroscopy of the Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) SN 2002dj covering epochs from 11 d before to nearly two years after maximum. Detailed optical and near-infrared observations show that this object belongs to the class of the high-velocity gradient events as indicated by Si, S and Ca lines. The light curve shape and velocity evolution of SN 2002dj appear to be nearly identical to SN 2002bo. The only significant difference is observed in the optical to near-infrared colours and a reduced spectral emission beyond 6500 Å. For high-velocity gradient SNe Ia, we tentatively identify a faster rise to maximum, a more pronounced inflection in the V and R light curves after maximum and a brighter, slower declining late-time B light curve as common photometric properties of this class of objects. They also seem to be characterized by a different colour and colour evolution with respect to 'normal' SNe Ia. The usual light curve shape parameters do not distinguish these events. Stronger, more blueshifted absorption features of intermediate-mass elements and lower temperatures are the most prominent spectroscopic features of SNe Ia displaying high-velocity gradients. It appears that these events burn more intermediate-mass elements in the outer layers. Possible connections to the metallicity of the progenitor star are explored.     

Abundance stratification in Type Ia supernovae – II. The rapidly declining, spectroscopically normal SN 2004eo

The variation in properties of Type Ia supernovae, the thermonuclear explosions of Chandrasekhar-mass carbon–oxygen white dwarfs, is caused by different nucleosynthetic outcomes of these explosions, which can be traced from the distribution of abundances in the ejecta. The composition stratification of the spectroscopically normal but rapidly declining SN 2004eo is studied by performing spectrum synthesis of a time-series of spectra obtained before and after maximum, and of one nebular spectrum obtained about eight months later. Early-time spectra indicate that the outer ejecta are dominated by oxygen and silicon, and contain other intermediate-mass elements, implying that the outer part of the star was subject only to partial burning. In the inner part, nuclear statistical equilibrium (NSE) material dominates, but the production of ⁵⁶Ni was limited to  ∼0.43 ± 0.05   M_⊙  . An innermost zone containing  ∼0.25   M_⊙  of stable Fe-group material is also present. The relatively small amount of NSE material synthesized by SN 2004eo explains both the dimness and the rapidly evolving light curve of this supernova.     

Massive stars exploding in a He-rich circumstellar medium – I. Type Ibn (SN 2006jc-like) events

We present new spectroscopic and photometric data of the Type Ibn supernovae 2006jc, 2000er and 2002ao. We discuss the general properties of this recently proposed supernova family, which also includes SN 1999cq. The early-time monitoring of SN 2000er traces the evolution of this class of objects during the first few days after the shock breakout. An overall similarity in the photometric and spectroscopic evolution is found among the members of this group, which would be unexpected if the energy in these core-collapse events was dominated by the interaction between supernova ejecta and circumstellar medium. Type Ibn supernovae appear to be rather normal Type Ib/c supernova explosions which occur within a He-rich circumstellar environment. SNe Ibn are therefore likely produced by the explosion of Wolf–Rayet progenitors still embedded in the He-rich material lost by the star in recent mass-loss episodes, which resemble known luminous blue variable eruptions. The evolved Wolf–Rayet star could either result from the evolution of a very massive star or be the more evolved member of a massive binary system. We also suggest that there are a number of arguments in favour of a Type Ibn classification for the historical SN 1885A (S-Andromedae), previously considered as an anomalous Type Ia event with some resemblance to SN 1991bg.     

SN 2005cs in M51 – II. Complete evolution in the optical and the near-infrared

We present the results of the one-year long observational campaign of the type II plateau SN 2005cs, which exploded in the nearby spiral galaxy M51 (the Whirlpool galaxy). This extensive data set makes SN 2005cs the best observed low-luminosity, ⁵⁶Ni-poor type II plateau event so far and one of the best core-collapse supernovae ever. The optical and near-infrared spectra show narrow P-Cygni lines characteristic of this SN family, which are indicative of a very low expansion velocity (about  1000 km s⁻¹  ) of the ejected material. The optical light curves cover both the plateau phase and the late-time radioactive tail, until about 380 d after core-collapse. Numerous unfiltered observations obtained by amateur astronomers give us the rare opportunity to monitor the fast rise to maximum light, lasting about 2 d. In addition to optical observations, we also present near-infrared light curves that (together with already published ultraviolet observations) allow us to construct for the first time a reliable bolometric light curve for an object of this class. Finally, comparing the observed data with those derived from a semi-analytic model, we infer for SN 2005cs a ⁵⁶Ni mass of about  3 × 10⁻³ M_⊙  , a total ejected mass of  8–13 M_⊙  and an explosion energy of about  3 × 10⁵⁰ erg  .     

Studying the SN‐GRB connection with X‐shooter: The GRB 100316D / SN 2010bh case

During the last ten years, observations of long‐duration gamma‐ray bursts brought to the conclusion that at least a fraction of them is associated with bright supernovae of type Ib/c. In this talk, after a short review on the previously observed GRB‐SN connection cases, we present the recent case of GRB 100316/SN 2010bh. In particular, during the observational campaign of SN 2010bh, a pivotal role was played by VLT/X‐shooter, sampling with unique high quality data the spectral energy distribution of the early evolution phases from the UV to the K band (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Reflections on reflexions – II. Effects of light echoes on the luminosity and spectra of Type Ia supernovae

In this paper, we present and discuss the effects of scattered light echoes (LEs) on the luminosity and spectral appearance of Type Ia supernovae (SNe). After introducing the basic concept of LE spectral synthesis by means of LE models and real observations, we investigate the deviations from pure SN spectra, light and colour curves, the signatures that witness the presence of an LE and the possible inferences on the extinction law. The effects on the photometric parameters and spectral features are also discussed. In particular, for the case of circumstellar dust, LEs are found to introduce an apparent relation between the post-maximum decline rate and the absolute luminosity, which is most likely going to affect the well-known Pskowski–Phillips relation.