scholarly journals Signatures of circumstellar interaction in the unusual transient AT 2018cow

2019 ◽  
Vol 488 (3) ◽  
pp. 3772-3782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ori D Fox ◽  
Nathan Smith

ABSTRACT AT 2018cow is a unique transient that stands out due to its relatively fast light curve, high peak bolometric luminosity, and blue colour. These properties distinguish it from typical radioactively powered core-collapse supernovae (SNe). Instead, the characteristics are more similar to a growing sample of Fast Blue Optical Transients (FBOTs). Mostly discovered at hundreds of Mpc, FBOT follow-up is usually limited to several photometry points and low signal-to-noise spectra. At only ∼60 Mpc, AT 2018cow offers an opportunity for detailed follow-up. Studies of this object published to date propose a number of interpretations for AT 2018cow, but none of these specifically consider the interacting Type Ibn SN subclass. We point out that while narrow lines do not dominate the spectrum of AT 2018cow, as narrow Balmer lines typically do in SNe IIn, the narrow lines in AT 2018cow may nevertheless include emission from pre-shock CSM. In particular, the He i lines in AT 2018cow are broader than H ii region lines in the same spectrum, and they closely resemble He i lines in some examples of SNe Ibn or transitional SNe Ibn/IIn objects. We compare AT 2018cow to interacting SNe Ibn and IIn and find a number of noteworthy similarities, including light-curve rise and fall times, peak magnitude, X-ray light curves, and spectroscopic properties. We therefore explore the hypothesis that CSM interaction in a relatively H-poor system might help explain some observed properties of AT 2018cow, and we go on to consider progenitor implications for AT 2018cow, FBOTs, and SNe Ibn.

2020 ◽  
Vol 500 (2) ◽  
pp. 1673-1696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason T Hinkle ◽  
T W-S Holoien ◽  
K Auchettl ◽  
B J Shappee ◽  
J M M Neustadt ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We present observations of ASASSN-19dj, a nearby tidal disruption event (TDE) discovered in the post-starburst galaxy KUG 0810+227 by the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) at a distance of d ≃ 98 Mpc. We observed ASASSN-19dj from −21 to 392 d relative to peak ultraviolet (UV)/optical emission using high-cadence, multiwavelength spectroscopy and photometry. From the ASAS-SN g-band data, we determine that the TDE began to brighten on 2019 February 6.8 and for the first 16 d the rise was consistent with a flux ∝t2 power law. ASASSN-19dj peaked in the UV/optical on 2019 March 6.5 (MJD = 58548.5) at a bolometric luminosity of L = (6.2 ± 0.2) × 1044 erg s−1. Initially remaining roughly constant in X-rays and slowly fading in the UV/optical, the X-ray flux increased by over an order of magnitude ∼225 d after peak, resulting from the expansion of the X-ray emitting region. The late-time X-ray emission is well fitted by a blackbody with an effective radius of ∼1 × 1012 cm and a temperature of ∼6 × 105 K. The X-ray hardness ratio becomes softer after brightening and then returns to a harder state as the X-rays fade. Analysis of Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey images reveals a nuclear outburst roughly 14.5 yr earlier with a smooth decline and a luminosity of LV ≥ 1.4 × 1043 erg s−1, although the nature of the flare is unknown. ASASSN-19dj occurred in the most extreme post-starburst galaxy yet to host a TDE, with Lick HδA = 7.67 ± 0.17 Å.


2019 ◽  
Vol 622 ◽  
pp. L2 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Gromadzki ◽  
A. Hamanowicz ◽  
L. Wyrzykowski ◽  
K. V. Sokolovsky ◽  
M. Fraser ◽  
...  

Aims. We report on the discovery and follow-up of a peculiar transient, OGLE17aaj, which occurred in the nucleus of a weakly active galaxy. We investigate whether it can be interpreted as a new candidate for a tidal disruption event (TDE). Methods. We present the OGLE-IV light curve that covers the slow 60-day-long rise to maximum along with photometric, spectroscopic, and X-ray follow-up during the first year. Results. OGLE17aaj is a nuclear transient exhibiting some properties similar to previously found TDEs, including a long rise time, lack of colour-temperature evolution, and high black-body temperature. On the other hand, its narrow emission lines and slow post-peak evolution are different from previously observed TDEs. Its spectrum and light-curve evolution is similar to F01004-2237 and AT 2017bgt. Signatures of historical low-level nuclear variability suggest that OGLE17aaj may instead be related to a new type of accretion event in active super-massive black holes.


2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S279) ◽  
pp. 331-332
Author(s):  
Gastón Folatelli

AbstractWe present photometric and spectroscopic follow-up observations of SN 2010as carried out by the MCSS and CSP. The SN appears to be of the transitional type Ibc (SN Ibc) and is spectroscopically similar to the peculiar SN 2005bf. Based on distance and extinction estimates, a bolometric luminosity light curve is constructed showing that this was a relatively luminous SN Ibc. He i line expansion velocities are remarkably low and remain nearly constant with time, similarly to SN~2005bf. A preliminary model is presented with a progenitor ZAMS mass of 15 M⊙ and a large yield of 0.35 M⊙ of 56Ni.


2017 ◽  
Vol 597 ◽  
pp. A75 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Maitra ◽  
F. Acero ◽  
C. Venter

Aims. PSR J0855−4644 is a fast-spinning, energetic pulsar discovered at radio wavelengths near the south-eastern rim of the supernova remnant RX J0852.0−4622. A follow-up XMM-Newton observation revealed the X-ray counterpart of the pulsar and a slightly asymmetric pulsar wind nebula, which suggests possible jet structures. Lying at a distance d ≤ 900 pc, PSR J0855−4644 is a pulsar with one of the highest Ė/d2 from which no GeV γ-ray pulsations have been detected. With a dedicated Chandra observation we aim to further resolve the possible jet structures of the nebula and study the pulsar geometry to understand the lack of γ-ray pulsations. Methods. We performed detailed spatial modelling to constrain the geometry of the pulsar wind nebula and in particular the pulsar line of sight (observer angle) ζPSR, which is defined as the angle between the direction of the observer and the pulsar spin axis. We also performed geometric radio and γ-ray light-curve modelling using a hollow-cone radio beam model together with two-pole caustic and outer gap models to further constrain ζPSR and the magnetic obliquity α defined as the angle between the magnetic and spin axes of the pulsar. Results. The Chandra observation reveals that the compact XMM source, thought to be the X-ray pulsar, can be further resolved into a point source surrounded by an elongated axisymmetric nebula with a longitudinal extent of 10′′. The pulsar flux represents only ~1% of the XMM compact source, and its spectrum is well described by a blackbody of temperature kT = 0.2 keV, while the surrounding nebula has a much harder spectrum (Γ = 1.1 for a power-law model). Assuming the origin of the extended emission is a double torus yields ζPSR = 32.5° ± 4.3°. The detection of thermal X-rays from the pulsar may point to a low value of | ζ−α | if this emission originates from a heated polar cap. Independent constraints from geometric light-curve modelling yield α ≲ 55° and ζ ≲ 55°, and 10° ≲ | ζ−α | ≲ 30°. A χ2 fit to the radio light curve yields a best fit at (α,ζPSR) = (22°,8°), with an alternative fit at (α,ζPSR) = (9°,25°) within 3σ. The lack of non-thermal X-ray emission from the pulsar further supports low values for α and ζ under the assumption that X-rays and γ-rays are generated in the same region of the pulsar magnetosphere. Such a geometry would explain, in the standard caustic pulsar model picture, the radio-loud and γ-ray-quiet behaviour of this high Ė/d2 pulsar.


Author(s):  
A. Aryan ◽  
S. B. Pandey ◽  
A. Kumar ◽  
R. Gupta ◽  
A. J. Castro-Tirado ◽  
...  

We explore the study of energetic transients including core-collapse supernovae using various publicly available analysis tools like MESA & SNEC, MOSFiT and SNCOSMO. We used MESA to evolve a star having zero age main sequence mass (Mzams) of 24 M⊙ until the onset of core-collapse. Then we exploded this model using openly available explosion codes, STELLA & SNEC and obatined various observable parameters such as bolometric luminosity and photospheric velocities etc. We also used MOSFiT to model the light curve of a type Ic supernova, SN1999ex and obtained various physical parameters. SNCOSMO is used for template fitting of various supernovae by varying various parameters such as red shift, dust map, stretch factor of light curve, explosion epoch of supernova etc.


2014 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 1460172 ◽  
Author(s):  
LUCIA PAVAN ◽  
POL BORDAS ◽  
GERD PÜHLHOFER ◽  
MIROSLAV D. FILIPOVIC ◽  
AIN DE HORTA ◽  
...  

IGR J11014-6103 is a hard X-ray source discovered by INTEGRAL. Follow-up X-ray and radio observations revealed an elongated pulsar wind nebula formed by a neutron star escaping supersonically its parent supernova remnant SNR MSH 11-61A. The pulsar also emits highly collimated jets extending perpendicularly to the direction of motion. The jet has a continuous helical structure extending up to more than 10 parsecs. IGR J11014-6103 is a laboratory to study jet ejection in the wind of a pulsar and to constrain the core collapse supernova mechanism responsible for the observed pulsar kick velocity in excess of 1000 km/s.


2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (S296) ◽  
pp. 352-353
Author(s):  
Brijesh Kumar

AbstractWe present survey results obtained from the UBVRI optical photometric follow-up of 19 bright core-collapse SNe during 2002-2012 using 1-m class optical telescopes operated by the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Science (acronym ARIES), Nainital India. This homogeneous set of data have been used to study behavior of optical light/color curve, and to gain insight into objet-to-object peculiarity. We derive integrated luminosities for types IIP, Ibc and luminous SNe. Two peculiar type IIP events having photometric properties similar to normal IIP and spectroscopic properties similar to sub-lumnious IIP have been identified.


2019 ◽  
Vol 487 (4) ◽  
pp. 5010-5018 ◽  
Author(s):  
L C Strang ◽  
A Melatos

Abstract Many short gamma-ray bursts (sGRBs) exhibit a prolonged plateau in the X-ray light curve following the main burst. It is shown that an X-ray plateau at the observed luminosity emerges naturally from a plerion-like model of the sGRB remnant, in which the magnetized, relativistic wind of a millisecond magnetar injects shock-accelerated electrons into a cavity confined by the sGRB blast wave. A geometry-dependent fraction of the plerionic radiation is also intercepted and reprocessed by the optically thick merger ejecta. The relative contributions of the plerion and ejecta to the composite X-ray light curve are estimated approximately with the aid of established ejecta models. The plerionic component of the electron energy spectrum is evolved under the action of time-dependent, power-law injection and adiabatic and synchrotron cooling in order to calculate the X-ray light curve analytically. The model yields an anticorrelation between the luminosity and duration of the plateau as well as a sudden cut-off in the X-ray flux, if the decelerating magnetar collapses to form a black hole. Both features are broadly consistent with the data and can be related to the surface magnetic field of the magnetar and its angular velocity at birth. The analogy with core-collapse supernova remnants is discussed briefly.


2018 ◽  
Vol 184 ◽  
pp. 01010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigeru Kubono

Recent experimental challenges to study the explosive hydrogen burning at extremely high temperatures are discussed. Along the nucleosynthetic pathway, discussions were made especially for the medium mass region, where we have possible waiting points and bottle necks which influence not only the light curve but also the production of heavy elements including the anomalously abundant p-nuclei at A = 80-100. Two approaches were discussed for the problem; one is the precision mass measurements and the other one is the half-live measurement of very short lived isotopes. A scope of the field is also discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (S339) ◽  
pp. 176-180
Author(s):  
D. A. H. Buckley

AbstractThe SALT transient follow-up programme began in 2016 and will continue for 5 semesters (until 31 Oct 2018), with an expectation of renewal thereafter. It is currently the only SALT Large Science Programme, and was awarded ~250 ksec. per semester, with a significant fraction (60%) given for the highest priority target-of-opportunity time. The aim is to characterise and study transients across a wide range of classes, currently including (from closest to most distant) cataclysmic variables, novæ and other associated eruptive variables, low- and high-mass X-ray binaries, OGLE and Gaia transients (including tidal disruption events), super-luminous and unusual core-collapse supernovæ, kilonovæ and other candidate optical counterparts to gravitational-wave events, flaring blazars and AGN, and gamma-ray bursts. This programme currently involves four SALT partners, of which South Africa is the major contributor of time (74%) and resources and includes five institutions with over 30 co-investigators. This talk reviewed the nature of the programme and highlighted some of the results to date.


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