The class of supernova progenitors that result from fatal common envelope evolution

Abstract

I construct the class of supernovae and supernova progenitors that result from fatal common envelope evolution (CEE). The fatal CEE progenitors are stellar binary systems where a companion spirals-in inside the envelope of a giant star and merges with the core. The companion can be a neutron star (NS; or a black hole) that destroys the core and by that forms a common envelope jets supernova (CEJSN), a white dwarf (WD) that merges with the core to form a massive WD that later might explode as a Type Ia supernova (the core degenerate scenario), or a main sequence companion. In the latter case the outcome might be a core collapse supernova (CCSN) of a blue giant, a CCSN of type IIb or of type Ib. In another member of this class two giant stars merge and the two cores spiral-in toward each other to form a massive core that later explodes as a CCSN with a massive circumstellar matter (CSM). I discuss the members of this class, their characteristics, and their common properties. I find that fatal CEE events account for $\approx 6-10 \%$ of all CCSNe, and raise the possibility that a large fraction of peculiar and rare supernovae result from the fatal CEE. The study of these supernova progenitors as a class will bring insights on other types of supernova progenitors, as well as on the outcome of the CEE.