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arXiv · astro-ph/0506407

Early-time Spitzer observations of the type II-Plateau supernova, 2004dj

Abstract

We present mid-infrared observations with the Spitzer Space Telescope of the nearby type II-P supernova, SN 2004dj, at epochs of 89 to 129 days. We have obtained the first mid-IR spectra of any supernova apart from SN 1987A. A prominent [NiII] 6.64 micron line is observed, from which we deduce that the mass of stable nickel must be at least 2.2e10(-4) Msun. We also observe the red wing of the CO-fundamental band. We relate our findings to possible progenitors and favour an evolved star, most likely a red supergiant, with a probable initial mass between ~10 and 15 Msun.

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Rubina Kotak, Peter Meikle, Schuyler van Dyk, Peter Hoeflich, Seppo Mattila. 2005-06-17. Early-time Spitzer observations of the type II-Plateau supernova, 2004dj. https://doi.org/10.1086/432719

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