arXiv subjects

B. J. Shappee

Publications and source records attributed to B. J. Shappee.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

A Tale of Two Type Ia Supernovae: The fast-declining siblings SNe 2015bo and 1997cn

We present optical and near-infrared photometric and spectroscopic observations of the fast-declining Type Ia Supernova (SN) 2015bo. SN 2015bo is under-luminous (M$_B$ = -17.67 $\pm$ 0.15 mag) and has a fast-evolving light curve ($Δ\mathrm{m}_{15}\mathrm{(B)}$ = 1.91 $\pm$ 0.01 mag and $s_{BV}$ = 0.48 $\pm$ 0.01). It has a unique morphology in the $V-r$ color curve, where it is bluer than all other SNe in the comparison sample. A $^{56}$Ni mass of 0.17 $\pm$ 0.03 $M_{\odot}$ was derived from the peak bolometric luminosity, which is consistent with its location on the luminosity-width relation. Spectroscopically, SN 2015bo is a Cool SN in the Branch classification scheme. The velocity evolution measured from spectral features is consistent with 1991bg-like SNe. SN 2015bo has a SN twin (similar spectra) and sibling (same host galaxy), SN 1997cn. Distance moduli of $μ$ = 34.33 $\pm$ 0.01 (stat) $\pm$0.11 (sys) mag and $μ$ = 34.34 $\pm$ 0.04 (stat) $\pm$ 0.12 (sys) mag were derived for SN 2015bo and SN 1997cn, respectively. These distances are consistent at the 0.06-$σ$ level with each other, and are also consistent with distances derived using surface-brightness fluctuations and redshift-corrected cosmology. This suggests that fast-declining SNe could be accurate distance indicators which should not be excluded from future cosmological analyses.

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arXiv2022

To TDE or not to TDE: The luminous transient ASASSN-18jd with TDE-like and AGN-like qualities

We present the discovery of ASASSN-18jd (AT 2018bcb), a luminous optical/UV/X-ray transient located in the nucleus of the galaxy 2MASX J22434289--1659083 at $z=0.1192$. Over the year after discovery, Swift UVOT photometry shows the UV SED of the transient to be well modeled by a slowly shrinking blackbody with temperature $T \sim 2.5 \times 10^{4} \rm ~K$, a maximum observed luminosity of $L_\text{max} = 4.5^{+0.6}_{-0.3} \times 10^{44} \rm ~erg ~s^{-1}$, and a radiated energy of $E = 9.6^{+1.1}_{-0.6} \times 10^{51} \rm ~erg$. X-ray data from Swift XRT and XMM-Newton show a transient, variable X-ray flux with blackbody and power-law components that fade by nearly an order of magnitude over the following year. Optical spectra show strong, roughly constant broad Balmer emission as well as transient features attributable to He II, N III-V, O III, and coronal Fe. While ASASSN-18jd shares similarities with Tidal Disruption Events (TDEs), it is also similar to the newly-discovered nuclear transients seen in quiescent galaxies and faint Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs).

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arXiv2021

A Linear Relation Between the Color Stretch $s_{BV}$ and the Rising Color Slope $s_0^*(B-V)$ of Type Ia Supernovae

Using data from the Complete Nearby ($z_{host}<0.02$) sample of Type Ia Supernovae (CNIa0.02), we discover a linear relation between two parameters derived from the $B-V$ color curves of Type Ia supernovae: the "color stretch" $s_{BV}$ and the rising color slope $s_0^*(B-V)$ after the peak, and this relation applies to the full range of $s_{BV}$. The $s_{BV}$ parameter is known to be tightly correlated with the peak luminosity, and especially for "fast decliners" (dim Type Ia supernovae), and the luminosity correlation with $s_{BV}$ is markedly better than with the classic light-curve width parameters such as $Δ{m_{15}(B)}$. Thus our new linear relation can be used to infer peak luminosity from $s_0^*$. Unlike $s_{BV}$ (or $Δ{m_{15}}$), the measurement of $s_0^*(B-V)$ does not rely on the well-determined time of light-curve peak or color maximum, making it less demanding on the light-curve coverage than past approaches.

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arXiv2021

Citizen ASAS-SN Data Release I: Variable Star Classification Using Citizen Science

We present the first results from Citizen ASAS-SN, a citizen science project for the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) hosted on the Zooniverse platform. Citizen ASAS-SN utilizes the newer, deeper, higher cadence ASAS-SN $g$-band data and tasks volunteers to classify periodic variable star candidates based on their phased light curves. We started from 40,640 new variable candidates from an input list of ${\sim} 7.4$ million stars with $δ< -60^\circ$ and the volunteers identified 10,420 new discoveries which they classified as 4,234 pulsating variables, 3,132 rotational variables, 2,923 eclipsing binaries, and 131 variables flagged as Unknown. They classified known variable stars with an accuracy of 89% for pulsating variables, 81% for eclipsing binaries, and 49% for rotational variables. We examine user performance, agreement between users, and compare the citizen science classifications with our machine learning classifier updated for the $g$-band light curves. In general, user activity correlates with higher classification accuracy and higher user agreement. We used the user's "Junk" classifications to develop an effective machine learning classifier to separate real from false variables, and there is a clear path for using this "Junk" training set to significantly improve our primary machine learning classifier. We also illustrate the value of Citizen ASAS-SN for identifying unusual variables with several examples.

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arXiv2021

How low can you go? SN 2018zd as a low-mass Fe core-collapse supernova

We present spectroscopy and photometry of SN 2018zd, a Type IIP core-collapse supernova with signatures of interaction with circumstantial material in its earliest spectra. High ionization lines, the earmark of shock breakout, are not seen in the earliest spectral epoch, and are only seen in a single spectrum at 4.9 d after explosion. The strength and brevity of these features imply a confined circumstellar material shell in the immediate vicinity of the progenitor. Once the narrow emission lines disappear, SN 2018zd evolves similarly to a Type IIP SN, although the blue colour and enhanced plateau magnitude of SN 2018zd suggests an additional source of luminosity throughout the plateau phase. While SN 2018zd has previously been proposed as an electron-capture SN, we suggest that it is an Fe core-collapse from a low mass red supergiant progenitor. Differences in interpretation for SN 2018zd arise in part due to the large uncertainty on the distance to the host-galaxy NGC 2146, which we re-derive here to be $15.6^{+6.1}_{-3.0}$ Mpc. We find the ejected $^{56}$Ni mass for SN 2018zd to be 0.017 M$_{\odot}$, significantly higher than models of ECSNe predict. We also find the Ni/Fe ratio in SN 2018zd to be much lower that would be expected for an ECSN.

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arXiv2021

ASASSN-15hy: an under-luminous, red 03fg-like type Ia supernova

We present photometric and spectroscopic observations of the 03fg-like type Ia supernova (SN Ia) ASASSN-15hy from the ultraviolet (UV) to the near-infrared (NIR). ASASSN-15hy shares many of the hallmark characteristics of 03fg-like SNe Ia, previously referred to as "super-Chandrasekhar" SNe Ia. It is bright in the UV and NIR, lacks a clear i-band secondary maximum, shows a strong and persistent C II feature, and has a low Si II $λ$6355 velocity. However, some of its properties are also extreme among the subgroup. ASASSN-15hy is under-luminous (M$_{B,peak}=-19.14^{+0.11}_{-0.16}$ mag), red ($(B-V)_{Bmax}=0.18^{+0.01}_{-0.03}$ mag), yet slowly declining ($Δ{m_{15}}(B)=0.72 \pm 0.04$ mag). It has the most delayed onset of the i-band maximum of any 03fg-like SN. ASASSN-15hy lacks the prominent H-band break emission feature that is typically present during the first month past maximum in normal SNe Ia. Such events may be a potential problem for high-redshift SN Ia cosmology. ASASSN-15hy may be explained in the context of an explosion of a degenerate core inside a non-degenerate envelope. The explosion impacting the non-degenerate envelope with a large mass provides additional luminosity and low ejecta velocities. An initial deflagration burning phase is critical in reproducing the low $^{56}$Ni mass and luminosity, while the large core mass is essential in providing the large diffusion time scales required to produce the broad light curves. The model consists of a rapidly rotating 1.47 $M_{\odot}$ degenerate core and a 0.8 $M_{\odot}$ non-degenerate envelope. This "deflagration core-degenerate" scenario may result from the merger between a white dwarf and the degenerate core of an asymptotic giant branch star.

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arXiv2021

Carnegie Supernova Project: The First Homogeneous Sample of "Super-Chandrasekhar Mass"/2003fg-like Type Ia Supernova

We present a multi-wavelength photometric and spectroscopic analysis of thirteen "Super-Chandrasekhar Mass"/2003fg-like type Ia Supernova (SNe~Ia). Nine of these objects were observed by the Carnegie Supernova Project. 2003fg-like have slowly declining light curves ($Δm_{15}$(B) $<$1.3 mag), and peak absolute $B$-band magnitudes between $-19<M_{B}<-21$~mag. Many 2003fg-like are located in the same part of the luminosity width relation as normal SNe~Ia. In the optical $B$ and $V$ bands, 2003fg-like look like normal SNe~Ia, but at redder wavelengths they diverge. Unlike other luminous SNe~Ia, 2003fg-like generally have only one $i$-band maximum which peaks after the epoch of $B$-band maximum, while their NIR light curve rise times can be $\gtrsim$40 days longer than those of normal SNe~Ia. They are also at least one magnitude brighter in the NIR bands than normal SNe~Ia, peaking above $M_H < -19$~mag, and generally have negative Hubble residuals, which may be the cause of some systematics in dark energy experiments. Spectroscopically, 2003fg-like exhibit peculiarities such as unburnt carbon well past maximum light, a large spread (8000--12000~km/s) in SiII $λ$6355 velocities at maximum light with no rapid early velocity decline, and no clear $H$-band break at +10~d, e. We find that SNe with a larger pseudo equivalent width of CII at maximum light have lower SiII $λ$6355 velocities and slower declining light curves. There are also multiple factors that contribute to the peak luminosity of 2003fg-like. The explosion of a C-O degenerate core inside a carbon-rich envelope is consistent with these observations. Such a configuration may come from the core degenerate scenario.

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arXiv2021

SN 2021csp -- the explosion of a stripped envelope star within a H and He-poor circumstellar medium

We present observations of SN 2021csp, a unique supernova (SN) which displays evidence for interaction with H- and He- poor circumstellar material (CSM) at early times. Using high-cadence spectroscopy taken over the first week after explosion, we show that the spectra of SN 2021csp are dominated by C III lines with a velocity of 1800 km s$^{-1}$. We associate this emission with CSM lost by the progenitor prior to explosion. Subsequently, the SN displays narrow He lines before metamorphosing into a broad-lined Type Ic SN. We model the bolometric light curve of SN 2021csp, and show that it is consistent with the energetic ($4\times10^{51}$ erg) explosion of a stripped star, producing 0.4 M$_\odot$ of 56Ni within a $\sim$1 M$_\odot$ shell of CSM extending out to 400 R$_\odot$.

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arXiv2021

SN2017jgh - A high-cadence complete shock cooling lightcurve of a SN IIb with the Kepler telescope

SN 2017jgh is a type IIb supernova discovered by Pan-STARRS during the C16/C17 campaigns of the Kepler/K2 mission. Here we present the Kepler/K2 and ground based observations of SN 2017jgh, which captured the shock cooling of the progenitor shock breakout with an unprecedented cadence. This event presents a unique opportunity to investigate the progenitors of stripped envelope supernovae. By fitting analytical models to the SN 2017jgh lightcurve, we find that the progenitor of SN 2017jgh was likely a yellow supergiant with an envelope radius of $\sim50-290~R_{\odot}$, and an envelope mass of $\sim0-1.7~M_{\odot}$. SN 2017jgh likely had a shock velocity of $\sim7500-10300$ km s$^{-1}$. Additionally, we use the lightcurve of SN 2017jgh to investigate how early observations of the rise contribute to constraints on progenitor models. Fitting just the ground based observations, we find an envelope radius of $\sim50-330~R_{\odot}$, an envelope mass of $\sim0.3-1.7~M_{\odot}$ and a shock velocity of $\sim9,000-15,000$ km s$^{-1}$. Without the rise, the explosion time can not be well constrained which leads to a systematic offset in the velocity parameter and larger uncertainties in the mass and radius. Therefore, it is likely that progenitor property estimates through these models may have larger systematic uncertainties than previously calculated.

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arXiv2021

ASAS-SN search for optical counterparts of gravitational-wave events from the third observing run of Advanced LIGO/Virgo

We report on the search for electromagnetic counterparts to the nine gravitational-wave events with a $>$60\% probability of containing a neutron star during the third (O3) LIGO-Virgo Collaboration (LVC) observing run with the All-Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN). No optical counterparts associated with a gravitational wave event was found. However, thanks to its network of telescopes, the average area visible to at least one ASAS-SN site during the first 10 hours after the trigger contained $\sim$30\% of the integrated source location probability. Through a combination of normal operations and target-of-opportunity observations, ASAS-SN observations of the highest probability fields began within one hour of the trigger for four of the events. After 24 hours, ASAS-SN observed $>$60\% of total probability for three events and $>$40\% for all but one of the events. This is the largest area coverage to a depth of $g = 18.5$ mag from any survey with published coverage statistics for seven of the nine events. With its observing strategy, five sites around the world, and a large field of view, ASAS-SN will be one of the leading surveys to optically search for nearby neutron star mergers during LVC O4.

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arXiv2021

$V$-band photometry of asteroids from ASAS-SN: Finding asteroids with slow spin

We present $V$-band photometry of the 20,000 brightest asteroids using data from the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) between 2012 and 2018. We were able to apply the convex inversion method to more than 5,000 asteroids with more than 60 good measurements in order to derive their sidereal rotation periods, spin axis orientations, and shape models. We derive unique spin state and shape solutions for 760 asteroids, including 163 new determinations. This corresponds to a success rate of about 15%, which is significantly higher than the success rate previously achieved using photometry from surveys. We derive the first sidereal rotation periods for additional 69 asteroids. We find good agreement in spin periods and pole orientations for objects with prior solutions. We obtain a statistical sample of asteroid physical properties that is sufficient for the detection of several previously known trends, such as the underrepresentation of slow rotators in current databases, and the anisotropic distribution of spin orientations driven by the nongravitational forces. We also investigate the dependence of spin orientations on the rotation period. Since 2018, ASAS-SN has been observing the sky with higher cadence and deeper limiting magnitude, which will lead to many more new solutions in just a few years.

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arXiv2021

An Amusing Look at the Host of the Periodic Nuclear Transient ASASSN-14ko Reveals a Second AGN

We present Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) integral-field spectroscopy of ESO 253$-$G003, which hosts a known Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) and the periodic nuclear transient ASASSN-14ko, observed as part of the All-weather MUse Supernova Integral-field of Nearby Galaxies (AMUSING) survey. The MUSE observations reveal that the inner region hosts two AGN separated by $1.4\pm0.1~\rm{kpc}$ ($\approx 1.\!\!^{\prime\prime}7$). The brighter nucleus has asymmetric broad, permitted emission-line profiles and is associated with the archival AGN designation. The fainter nucleus does not have a broad emission-line component but exhibits other AGN characteristics, including $v_{\rm{FWHM}}\approx 700~\rm{km}~\rm{s}^{-1}$ forbidden line emission, $\log_{10}(\rm{[OIII]}/\rm{H}β) \approx 1.1$, and high excitation potential emission lines such as [Fe$~$VII]$~\lambda6086$ and He$~$II$~\lambda4686$. The host galaxy exhibits a disturbed morphology with large kpc-scale tidal features, potential outflows from both nuclei, and a likely superbubble. A circular relativistic disk model cannot reproduce the asymmetric broad emission-line profiles in the brighter nucleus, but two non-axisymmetric disk models provide good fits to the broad emission-line profiles: an elliptical disk model and a circular disk + spiral arm model. Implications for the periodic nuclear transient ASASSN-14ko are discussed.

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arXiv2021

SN2019yvq Does Not Conform to SN Ia Explosion Models

We present new photometric and spectroscopic observations of SN 2019yvq, a Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) exhibiting several peculiar properties including an excess of UV/optical flux within days of explosion, a high SiII velocity, and a low peak luminosity. Photometry near the time of first light places new constraints on the rapid rise of the UV/optical flux excess. A near-infrared spectrum at $+173$ days after maximum light places strict limits on the presence of H or He emission, effectively excluding the presence of a nearby non-degenerate star at the time of explosion. New optical spectra, acquired at +128 and +150 days after maximum light, confirm the presence of CaII$λ7300~$Å and persistent CaII NIR triplet emission as SN 2019yvq transitions into the nebular phase. The lack of [OI]$λ6300~$Å emission disfavors the violent merger of two C/O white dwarfs (WDs) but the merger of a C/O WD with a He WD cannot be excluded. We compare our findings with several models in the literature postulated to explain the early flux excess including double-detonation explosions, $^{56}$Ni mixing into the outer ejecta during ignition, and interaction with H- and He-deficient circumstellar material. Each model may be able to explain both the early flux excess and the nebular [CaII] emission, but none of the models can reconcile the high photospheric velocities with the low peak luminosity without introducing new discrepancies.

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arXiv2021

ASASSN-21co: A detached eclipsing binary with an 11.9 year period

We use ASAS V-band and ASAS-SN g-band observations to model the long-period detached eclipsing binary ASASSN-21co. ASAS observations show an eclipse of depth V ~ 0.6 mag in April of 2009. ASAS-SN g-band observations from March of 2021 show an eclipse of similar duration and depth, suggesting an orbital period of 11.9 years. We combine the g-band observations with additional BVRI photometry taken during the eclipse to model the eclipse using PHOEBE. We find that the system is best described by two M giants with a ratio of secondary radius to primary radius of ~0.61. Optical spectra taken during the eclipse are consistent with at least one component of the binary being an M giant, and we find no temporal changes in the spectral features. The eclipse itself is asymmetric, showing an increase in brightness near mid-eclipse, likely due to rotational variability that is too low amplitude to be observed out-of-eclipse.

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arXiv2021

High Tide: A Systematic Search for Ellipsoidal Variables in ASAS-SN

The majority of non-merging stellar mass black holes are discovered by observing high energy emission from accretion processes. Here we pursue the large, but still mostly unstudied population of non-interacting black holes and neutron stars by searching for the tidally-induced ellipsoidal variability of their stellar companions. We start from a sample of about 200,000 rotational variables, semi-regular variables, and eclipsing binary stars from the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN). We use a $χ^2$ ratio test followed by visual inspection to identify 369 candidates for ellipsoidal variability. We also discuss how to combine the amplitude of the variability with mass and radius estimates for observed stars to calculate a minimum companion mass, identifying the most promising candidates for high mass companions.

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arXiv2021

The Loudest Stellar Heartbeat: Characterizing the most extreme amplitude heartbeat star system

We characterize the extreme heartbeat star system MACHO 80.7443.1718 in the LMC using TESS photometry and spectroscopic observations from the Magellan Inamori Kyocera Echelle (MIKE) and SOAR Goodman spectographs. MACHO 80.7443.1718 was first identified as a heartbeat star system in the All-Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN) with $P_{\rm orb}=32.836\pm0.008\,{\rm d}$. MACHO 80.7443.1718 is a young (${\sim}6$~Myr), massive binary, composed of a B0 Iae supergiant with $M_1 \simeq 35 M_\odot$ and an O9.5V secondary with $M_2 \simeq 16 M_\odot$ on an eccentric ($e=0.51\pm0.03$) orbit. In addition to having the largest variability amplitude amongst all known heartbeats stars, MACHO 80.7443.1718 is also one of the most massive heartbeat stars yet discovered. The B[e] supergiant has Balmer emission lines and permitted/forbidden metallic emission lines associated with a circumstellar disk. The disk rapidly dissipates at periastron which could indicate mass transfer to the secondary, but re-emerges immediately following periastron passage. MACHO 80.7443.1718 also shows tidally excited oscillations at the $N=25$ and $N=41$ orbital harmonics and has a rotational period of 4.4 d.

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arXiv2021

The ASAS-SN Catalog of Variable Stars IX: The Spectroscopic Properties of Galactic Variable Stars

The All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) provides long baseline (${\sim}4$ yrs) $V-$band light curves for sources brighter than V$\lesssim17$ mag across the whole sky. We produced V-band light curves for a total of ${\sim}61.5$ million sources and systematically searched these sources for variability. We identified ${\sim} 426,000$ variables, including ${\sim} 219,000$ new discoveries. Most (${\sim}74\%$) of our discoveries are in the Southern hemisphere. Here we use spectroscopic information from LAMOST, GALAH, RAVE, and APOGEE to study the physical and chemical properties of these variables. We find that metal-poor eclipsing binaries have orbital periods that are shorter than metal-rich systems at fixed temperature. We identified rotational variables on the main-sequence, red giant branch and the red clump. A substantial fraction (${\gtrsim}80\%$) of the rotating giants have large $v_{\rm rot}$ or large NUV excesses also indicative of fast rotation. The rotational variables have unusual abundances suggestive of analysis problems. Semi-regular variables tend to be lower metallicity ($\rm [Fe/H]{\sim}-0.5$) than most giant stars. We find that the APOGEE DR16 temperatures of oxygen-rich semi-regular variables are strongly correlated with the $W_{RP}-W_{JK}$ color index for $\rm T_{eff}\lesssim3800$ K. Using abundance measurements from APOGEE DR16, we find evidence for Mg and N enrichment in the semi-regular variables. We find that the Aluminum abundances of the semi-regular variables are strongly correlated with the pulsation period, where the variables with $\rm P\gtrsim 60$ days are significantly depleted in Al.

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arXiv2021

The ASAS-SN Catalog of Variable Stars VI: An All-Sky Sample of $δ$ Scuti Stars

We characterize an all-sky catalog of ${\sim} 8,400$ $δ$ Scuti variables in ASAS-SN, which includes ${\sim} 3,300$ new discoveries. Using distances from \textit{Gaia} DR2, we derive period-luminosity relationships (PLRs) for both the fundamental mode and overtone pulsators in the $W_{JK}$, $V$, Gaia DR2 $G$, $J$, $H$, $K_s$ and $W_1$ bands. We find that the overtone pulsators have a dominant overtone mode, with many sources pulsating in the second overtone or higher order modes. The fundamental mode pulsators have metallicity dependent periods, with $\log_{10} (\rm P){\sim}-1.1$ for $\rm [Fe/H]<-0.3$ and $\log_{10} (\rm P){\sim}-0.9$ for $\rm [Fe/H]>0$ which leads to a period-dependant scale height. Stars with $\rm P>0.100\,d$ are predominantly located close to the Galactic disk ($\rm |Z|<0.5\,kpc$). The median period at a scale height of $\rm Z{\sim}0\, kpc$ also increases with the Galactocentric radius $\rm R$, from $\log_{10} (\rm P){\sim}-0.94$ for sources with $\rm R>9\, kpc$ to $\log_{10} (\rm P){\sim}-0.85$ for sources with $\rm R<7\, kpc$, which is indicative of a radial metallicity gradient. To illustrate potential applications of this all-sky catalog, we obtained 30 min cadence, image subtraction TESS light curves for a sample of 10 fundamental mode and 10 overtone $δ$ Scuti stars discovered by ASAS-SN. From this sample, we identified two new $δ$ Scuti eclipsing binaries, ASASSN-V J071855.62$-$434247.3 and ASASSN-V J170344.20$-$615941.2 with short orbital periods of $\rm P_{orb}=2.6096$ d and $\rm P_{orb}=2.5347$ d respectively.

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