No Arabic abstract
We report on new VLT optical spectroscopic and multi-wavelength archival observations of SN1996cr, a previously identified ULX known as Circinus Galaxy X-2. Our optical spectrum confirms SN1996cr as a bona fide type IIn SN, while archival imaging isolates its explosion date to between 1995-02-28 and 1996-03-16. SN1996cr is one of the closest SNe (~3.8 Mpc) in the last several decades and in terms of flux ranks among the brightest radio and X-ray SNe ever detected. The wealth of optical, X-ray, and radio observations that exist for this source provide relatively detailed constraints on its post-explosion expansion and progenitor history, including an preliminary angular size constaint from VLBI. The archival X-ray and radio data imply that the progenitor of SN1996cr evacuated a large cavity just prior to exploding: the blast wave likely expanded for ~1-2 yrs before eventually striking the dense circumstellar material which surrounds SN1996cr. The X-ray and radio emission, which trace the progenitor mass-loss rate, have respectively risen by a factor of ~2 and remained roughly constant over the past 7 yr. This behavior is reminiscent of the late rise of SN1987A, but 1000 times more luminous and much more rapid to onset. Complex Oxygen line emission in the optical spectrum further hints at a possible concentric shell or ring-like structure. The discovery of SN1996cr suggests that a substantial fraction of the closest SNe observed in the last several decades have occurred in wind-blown bubbles. An Interplanetary Network position allows us to reject a tentative GRB association with BATSE 4B960202. [Abridged]
We have recently confirmed SN 1996cr as a late-time type IIn supernova (SN) via VLT spectroscopy and isolated its explosion date to ~1 yr using archival optical imaging. We briefly touch upon here the wealth of optical, X-ray, and radio archival observations available for this enigmatic source. Due to its relative proximity (3.8 +/-0.6 Mpc), SN 1996cr ranks among the brightest X-ray and radio SNe ever detected and, as such, may offer powerful insights into the structure and composition of type IIn SNe. We also find that SN 1996cr is matched to GRB 4B 960202 at a 2-3 sigma confidence level, making it perhaps the third GRB to be significantly associated with a type II SN. We speculate on whether SN 1996cr could be an off-axis or ``failed GRB.
We present optical and ultraviolet photometry, and low resolution optical spectroscopy of the broad-line type Ic supernova SN 2014ad in the galaxy PGC 37625 (Mrk 1309), covering the evolution of the supernova during $-$5 to +87 d with respect to the date of maximum in $B$-band. A late phase spectrum obtained at +340 d is also presented. With an absolute $V$ band magnitude at peak of $M_{V}$ = $-$18.86 $pm$ 0.23 mag, SN 2014ad is fainter than Gamma Ray Burst (GRB) associated supernovae, and brighter than most of the normal and broad-line type Ic supernovae without an associated GRB. The spectral evolution indicates the expansion velocity of the ejecta, as measured using the Si,{sc ii} line, to be as high as $sim$ 33500 km,s$^{-1}$ around maximum, while during the post-maximum phase it settles down at $sim$ 15000 km,s$^{-1}$. The expansion velocity of SN 2014ad is higher than all other well observed broad-line type Ic supernovae except the GRB associated SN 2010bh. The explosion parameters, determined by applying the Arnetts analytical light curve model to the observed bolometric light curve, indicate that it was an energetic explosion with a kinetic energy of $sim$ (1 $pm$ 0.3)$times$10$^{52}$ ergs, a total ejected mass of $sim$ (3.3 $pm$ 0.8) M$_odot$, and $sim$ 0.24 M$_odot$ of $^{56}$Ni was synthesized in the explosion. The metallicity of the host galaxy near the supernova region is estimated to be $sim$ 0.5 Z$_odot$.
We present observations of SN 2020faa. This Type II supernova displays a luminous light curve that started to rebrighten from an initial decline. We investigate this in relation to the famous supernova iPTF14hls, which received a lot of attention and multiple interpretations in the literature, however whose nature and source of energy still remains unknown. We demonstrate the great similarity between SN 2020faa and iPTF14hls during the first 6 months, and use this comparison both to forecast the evolution of SN 2020faa and to reflect on the less well observed early evolution of iPTF14hls. We present and analyse our observational data, consisting mainly of optical light curves from the Zwicky Transient Facility in the gri bands as well as a sequence of optical spectra. We construct colour curves, a bolometric light curve, compare ejecta-velocity and Black-body radius evolutions for the two supernovae, as well as for more typical Type II supernovae. The light curves show a great similarity with those of iPTF14hls over the first 6 months, in luminosity, timescale and colours. Also the spectral evolution of SN 2020faa is that of a Type II supernova, although it probes earlier epochs than those available for iPTF14hls. The similar light curve behaviour is suggestive of SN 2020faa being a new iPTF14hls. We present these observations now to advocate follow-up observations, since most of the more striking evolution of supernova iPTF14hls came later, with light curve undulations and a spectacular longevity. On the other hand, for SN 2020faa we have better constraints on the explosion epoch than we had for iPTF14hls, and we have been able to spectroscopically monitor it from earlier phases than was done for the more famous sibling.
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.
On 2018 July 28, GRB 180728A triggered textit{Swift} satellites and, soon after the determination of the redshift, we identified this source as a type II binary-driven hypernova (BdHN II) in our model. Consequently, we predicted the appearance time of its associated supernova (SN), which was later confirmed as SN 2018fip. A BdHN II originates in a binary composed of a carbon-oxygen core (CO$_{rm core}$) undergoing SN, and the SN ejecta hypercritically accrete onto a companion neutron star (NS). From the time of the SN shock breakout to the time when the hypercritical accretion starts, we infer the binary separation $simeq 3 times 10^{10}$ cm. The accretion explains the prompt emission of isotropic energy $simeq 3 times 10^{51}$ erg, lasting $sim 10$ s, and the accompanying observed blackbody emission from a thermal convective instability bubble. The new neutron star ($ u$NS) originating from the SN powers the late afterglow from which a $ u$NS initial spin of $2.5$ ms is inferred. We compare GRB 180728A with GRB 130427A, a type I binary-driven hypernova (BdHN I) with isotropic energy $> 10^{54}$ erg. For GRB 130427A we have inferred an initially closer binary separation of $simeq 10^{10}$ cm, implying a higher accretion rate leading to the collapse of the NS companion with consequent black hole formation, and a faster, $1$ ms spinning $ u$NS. In both cases, the optical spectra of the SNe are similar, and not correlated to the energy of the gamma-ray burst. We present three-dimensional smoothed-particle-hydrodynamic simulations and visualisations of the BdHNe I and II.