arXiv subjects

M. Ergon

Publications and source records attributed to M. Ergon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

SN 2019odp: A Massive Oxygen-Rich Type Ib Supernova

We present and analyze observations of the Type Ib supernova (SN) 2019odp (a.k.a ZTF19abqwtfu) covering epochs within days of the explosion to the nebular phase at 360 d post-explosion. We discuss them in the context of recombination cooling emission for the early excess emission and consider progenitor models based on the nebular phase spectra. Our observations include photometric observations mainly in the optical and low to medium-resolution spectroscopic observations covering the complete observable time-range. We expand on existing methods to derive oxygen mass estimates from nebular phase spectroscopy. Our spectroscopic observations confirm the presence of He in the SN ejecta and we thus (re)classify it as a Type Ib supernova. From the pseudo-bolometric lightcurve we estimate a high ejecta mass $M_\text{ej} \sim 4 - 7~M_\odot$. The high ejecta mass, large nebular [O I]/[Ca II] line flux ratio ($1.2 - 1.9$) and an oxygen mass above $\gtrapprox 0.5\, M_\odot$ point towards a progenitor with pre-explosion mass higher than $18\,M_\odot$. The compact nature of the progenitor ($\lesssim 10\,R_\odot$) suggests a Wolf-Rayet (WR) star as progenitor.

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arXiv2023

Three-component modelling of O-rich AGB star winds I. Effects of drift using forsterite

Stellar winds of cool and pulsating asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars enrich the interstellar medium with large amounts of processed elements and various types of dust. We present the first study on the influence of gas-to-dust drift on ab initio simulations of stellar winds of M-type stars driven by radiation pressure on forsterite particles. Our study is based on our radiation hydrodynamic model code T-800 that includes frequency-dependent radiative transfer, dust extinction based on Mie scattering, grain growth and ablation, gas-to-dust drift using one mean grain size, a piston that simulates stellar pulsations, and an accurate high spatial resolution numerical scheme. To enable this study, we calculated new gas opacities based on the ExoMol database, and we extended the model code to handle the formation of minerals that may form in M-type stars. We determine the effects of drift by comparing drift models to our new and extant non-drift models. Three out of four new drift models show high drift velocities, 87-310 km/s. Our new drift model mass-loss rates are 1.7-13 per cent of the corresponding values of our non-drift models, but compared to the results of two extant non-drift models that use the same stellar parameters, these same values are 0.33-1.5 per cent. Meanwhile, a comparison of other properties such as the expansion velocity and grain size show similar values. Our results, which are based on single-component forsterite particles, show that the inclusion of gas-to-drift is of fundamental importance in stellar wind models driven by such transparent grains. Assuming that the drift velocity is insignificant, properties such as the mass-loss rate may be off from more realistic values by a factor of 50 or more.

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arXiv2022

SN 2020acat: A purr-fect example of a fast rising Type IIb Supernova

The Ultra-Violet (UV) and Near Infrared (NIR) photometric and optical spectroscopic observations of SN 2020acat covering $\sim \! \! 250$ days after explosion are presented here. Using the fast rising photometric observations, spanning from the UV to NIR wavelengths, a pseudo-bolometric light curve was constructed and compared to several other well-observed Type IIb supernovae (SNe IIb). SN 2020acat displayed a very short rise time reaching a peak luminosity of $\mathrm{Log_{10}}(L) = 42.49 \pm 0.15 \, \mathrm{erg \, s^{-1}}$ in only $\sim \! \! 14.6 \pm 0.3$ days. From modelling of the pseudo-bolometric light curve, we estimated a total mass of $^{56} \mathrm{Ni}$ synthesised by SN 2020acat of $0.13 \pm 0.02 \, \mathrm{M_{\odot}}$, with an ejecta mass of $2.3 \pm 0.3 \, \mathrm{M_{\odot}}$ and a kinetic energy of $1.2 \pm 0.2 \times 10^{51}$ erg. The optical spectra of SN 2020acat display hydrogen signatures well into the transitional period ($\gtrsim 100$ days), between the photospheric and the nebular phases. The spectra also display a strong feature around $4900 \, \r{A}$ that cannot be solely accounted for by the presence of the $\mathrm{Fe_{II}}$ $5018$ line. We suggest that the $\mathrm{Fe_{II}}$ feature was augmented by $\mathrm{He_{I}}$ $5016$ and possibly by the presence of $\mathrm{N_{II}}$ $5005$. From both photometric and spectroscopic analysis, we inferred that the progenitor of SN\,2020acat was an intermediate mass compact star with a $M_\mathrm{ZAMS}$ of $18 - 22 \, \mathrm{M_{\odot}}$.

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arXiv2021

Intermediate-luminosity red transients: Spectrophotometric properties and connection to electron-capture supernova explosions

We present the spectroscopic and photometric study of five intermediate-luminosity red transients (ILRTs), namely AT 2010dn, AT 2012jc, AT 2013la, AT 2013lb, and AT 2018aes. They share common observational properties and belong to a family of objects similar to the prototypical ILRT SN~2008S. These events have a rise time that is less than 15 days and absolute peak magnitudes of between $-11.5$ and $-14.5$ mag. Their pseudo-bolometric light curves peak in the range $0.5$ - $9.0 \times10^{40}~\mathrm{erg~s}^{-1}$ and their total radiated energies are on the order of (0.3 - 3) $\times$~10$^{47}$~erg. After maximum brightness, the light curves show a monotonic decline or a plateau, resembling those of faint supernovae IIL or IIP, respectively. At late phases, the light curves flatten, roughly following the slope of the $^{56}$Co decay. If the late-time power source is indeed radioactive decay, these transients produce $^{56}$Ni masses on the order of $10^{-4}$ to $10^{-3}$~\msun. The spectral energy distribution of our ILRT sample, extending from the optical to the mid-infrared (MIR) domain, reveals a clear IR excess soon after explosion and non-negligible MIR emission at very late phases. The spectra show prominent H lines in emission with a typical velocity of a few hundred km~s$^{-1}$, along with Ca~II features. In particular, the [Ca~II] $\lambda$7291,7324 doublet is visible at all times, which is a characteristic feature for this family of transients. The identified progenitor of SN~2008S, which is luminous in archival Spitzer MIR images, suggests an intermediate-mass precursor star embedded in a dusty cocoon. We propose the explosion of a super-asymptotic giant branch star forming an electron-capture supernova as a plausible explanation for these events.

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arXiv2019

SN 2016gsd: An unusually luminous and linear type II supernova with high velocities

We present observations of the unusually luminous Type II supernova (SN) 2016gsd. With a peak absolute magnitude of V = $-$19.95 $\pm$ 0.08, this object is one of the brightest Type II SNe, and lies in the gap of magnitudes between the majority of Type II SNe and the superluminous SNe. Its light curve shows little evidence of the expected drop from the optically thick phase to the radioactively powered tail. The velocities derived from the absorption in H$\alpha$ are also unusually high with the blue edge tracing the fastest moving gas initially at 20000 km s$^{-1}$, and then declining approximately linearly to 15000 km s$^{-1}$ over $\sim$100 d. The dwarf host galaxy of the SN indicates a low-metallicity progenitor which may also contribute to the weakness of the metal lines in its spectra. We examine SN 2016gsd with reference to similarly luminous, linear Type II SNe such as SNe 1979C and 1998S, and discuss the interpretation of its observational characteristics. We compare the observations with a model produced by the JEKYLL code and find that a massive star with a depleted and inflated hydrogen envelope struggles to reproduce the high luminosity and extreme linearity of SN 2016gsd. Instead, we suggest that the influence of interaction between the SN ejecta and circumstellar material can explain the majority of the observed properties of the SN. The high velocities and strong H$\alpha$ absorption present throughout the evolution of the SN may imply a circumstellar medium configured in an asymmetric geometry.

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arXiv2019

ZTF18aalrxas: A Type IIb Supernova from a very extended low-mass progenitor

We investigate ZTF18aalrxas, a double-peaked Type IIb core-collapse supernova (SN) discovered during science validation of the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF). ZTF18aalrxas was discovered while the optical emission was still rising towards the initial cooling peak (0.7 mag over 2 days). Our observations consist of multi-band (UV, optical) light-curves, and optical spectra spanning from $\approx0.7$ d to $\approx180$ d past the explosion. We use a Monte-Carlo based non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) model, that simultanously reproduces both the $\rm ^{56}Ni$ powered bolometric light curve and our nebular spectrum. This model is used to constrain the synthesized radioactive nickel mass (0.17 $\mathrm{M}_{\odot}$) and the total ejecta mass (1.7 $\mathrm{M}_{\odot}$) of the SN. The cooling emission is modeled using semi-analytical extended envelope models to constrain the progenitor radius ($790-1050$ $\mathrm{R}_{\odot}$) at the time of explosion. Our nebular spectrum shows signs of interaction with a dense circumstellar medium (CSM), and this spetrum is modeled and analysed to constrain the amount of ejected oxygen ($0.3-0.5$ $\mathrm{M}_{\odot}$) and the total hydrogen mass ($\approx0.15$ $\mathrm{M}_{\odot}$) in the envelope of the progenitor. The oxygen mass of ZTF18aalrxas is consistent with a low ($12-13$ $\mathrm{M}_{\odot}$) Zero Age Main Sequence mass progenitor. The light curves and spectra of ZTF18aalrxas are not consistent with massive single star SN Type IIb progenitor models. The presence of an extended hydrogen envelope of low mass, the presence of a dense CSM, the derived ejecta mass, and the late-time oxygen emission can all be explained in a binary model scenario.

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arXiv2018

Monte-Carlo methods for NLTE spectral synthesis of supernovae

We present JEKYLL, a new code for modelling of supernova (SN) spectra and lightcurves based on Monte-Carlo (MC) techniques for the radiative transfer. The code assumes spherical symmetry, homologous expansion and steady state for the matter, but is otherwise capable of solving the time-dependent radiative transfer problem in non-local-thermodynamic-equilibrium (NLTE). The method used was introduced in a series of papers by Lucy, but the full time-dependent NLTE capabilities of it have never been tested. Here, we have extended the method to include non-thermal excitation and ionization as well as charge-transfer and two-photon processes. Based on earlier work, the non-thermal rates are calculated by solving the Spencer-Fano equation. Using a method previously developed for the SUMO code, macroscopic mixing of the material is taken into account in a statistical sense. In addition, a statistical Markov-chain model is used to sample the emission frequency, and we introduce a method to control the sampling of the radiation field. Except for a description of JEKYLL, we provide comparisons with the ARTIS, SUMO and CMFGEN codes, which show good agreement in the calculated spectra as well as the state of the gas. In particular, the comparison with CMFGEN, which is similar in terms of physics but uses a different technique, shows that the Lucy method does indeed converge in the time-dependent NLTE case. Finally, as an example of the time-dependent NLTE capabilities of JEKYLL, we present a model of a Type IIb SN, taken from a set of models presented and discussed in detail in an accompanying paper. Based on this model we investigate the effects of NLTE, in particular those arising from non-thermal excitation and ionization, and find strong effects even on the bolometric lightcurve. This highlights the need for full NLTE calculations when simulating the spectra and lightcurves of SNe.

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arXiv2018

Oxygen and helium in stripped-envelope supernovae

We present an analysis of 507 spectra of 173 stripped-envelope (SE) supernovae (SNe) discovered by the untargeted Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) and intermediate PTF (iPTF) surveys. Our sample contains 55 Type IIb SNe (SNe IIb), 45 Type Ib SNe (SNe Ib), 56 Type Ic SNe (SNe Ic), and 17 Type Ib/c SNe (SNe Ib/c). We compare the SE SN subtypes via measurements of the pseudo-equivalent widths (pEWs) and velocities of the He I $\lambda\lambda5876, 7065$ and O I $\lambda7774$ absorption lines. Consistent with previous work, we find that SNe Ic show higher pEWs and velocities in O I $\lambda7774$ compared to SNe IIb and Ib. The pEWs of the He I $\lambda\lambda5876, 7065$ lines are similar in SNe Ib and IIb after maximum light. The He I $\lambda\lambda5876, 7065$ velocities at maximum light are higher in SNe Ib compared to SNe IIb. We have identified an anticorrelation between the He I $\lambda7065$ pEW and O I $\lambda7774$ velocity among SNe IIb and Ib. This can be interpreted as a continuum in the amount of He present at the time of explosion. It has been suggested that SNe Ib and Ic have similar amounts of He, and that lower mixing could be responsible for hiding He in SNe Ic. However, our data contradict this mixing hypothesis. The observed difference in the expansion rate of the ejecta around maximum light of SNe Ic ($V_{\mathrm{m}}=\sqrt{2E_{\mathrm{k}}/M_{\mathrm{ej}}}\approx15,000$ km s$^{-1}$) and SNe Ib ($V_{\mathrm{m}}\approx9000$ km s$^{-1}$) would imply an average He mass difference of $\sim1.4$ $M_{\odot}$, if the other explosion parameters are assumed to be unchanged between the SE SN subtypes. We conclude that SNe Ic do not hide He but lose He due to envelope stripping.

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arXiv2018

The Type IIn Supernova 2010bt: The Explosion of a Star in Outburst

It is well known that massive stars (M > 8 M_sun) evolve up to the collapse of the stellar core, resulting in most cases as a supernova (SN) explosion. Their heterogeneity is related mainly to different configurations of the progenitor star at the moment of the explosion, and to their immediate environments. We present photometry and spectroscopy of SN 2010bt, which was classified as a Type IIn SN from a spectrum obtained soon after discovery and was observed extensively for about two months. After the seasonal interruption owing to its proximity to the Sun, the SN was below the detection threshold, indicative of a rapid luminosity decline. We can identify the likely progenitor with a very luminous star (log L/L_sun ~ 7) through comparison of Hubble Space Telescope images of the host galaxy prior to explosion with those of the SN obtained after maximum light. Such a luminosity is not expected for a quiescent star, but rather for a massive star in an active phase. This progenitor candidate was later confirmed via images taken in 2015 (~ 5 yr post-discovery), in which no bright point source was detected at the SN position. Given these results and the SN behavior, we conclude that SN 2010bt was likely a Type IIn SN and that its progenitor was a massive star that experienced an outburst shortly before the final explosion, leading to a dense H-rich circumstellar environment around the SN progenitor.

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arXiv2016

SN 2012aa - a transient between Type Ibc core-collapse and superluminous supernovae

Context: Research on supernovae (SNe) over the past decade has confirmed that there is a distinct class of events which are much more luminous (by $\sim2$ mag) than canonical core-collapse SNe (CCSNe). These events with visual peak magnitudes $\lesssim-21$ are called superluminous SNe (SLSNe). Aims: There are a few intermediate events which have luminosities between these two classes. Here we study one such object, SN 2012aa. Methods: The optical photometric and spectroscopic follow-up observations of the event were conducted over a time span of about 120 days. Results: With V_abs at peak ~-20 mag, the SN is an intermediate-luminosity transient between regular SNe Ibc and SLSNe. It also exhibits an unusual secondary bump after the maximum in its light curve. We interpret this as a manifestation of SN-shock interaction with the CSM. If we would assume a $^{56}$Ni-powered ejecta, the bolometric light curve requires roughly 1.3 M_sun of $^{56}$Ni and an ejected mass of ~14 M_sun. This would also imply a high kinetic energy of the explosion, ~5.4$\times10^{51}$ ergs. On the other hand, the unusually broad light curve along with the secondary peak indicate the possibility of interaction with CSM. The third alternative is the presence of a central engine releasing spin energy that eventually powers the light curve over a long time. The host of the SN is a star-forming Sa/Sb/Sbc galaxy. Conclusions: Although the spectral properties and velocity evolution of SN 2012aa are comparable to those of normal SNe Ibc, its broad light curve along with a large peak luminosity distinguish it from canonical CCSNe, suggesting the event to be an intermediate-luminosity transient between CCSNe and SLSNe at least in terms of peak luminosity. We argue that SN 2012aa belongs to a subclass where CSM interaction plays a significant role in powering the SN, at least during the initial stages of evolution.

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arXiv2016

PTF12os and iPTF13bvn. Two stripped-envelope supernovae from low-mass progenitors in NGC 5806

We investigate two stripped-envelope supernovae (SNe) discovered in the nearby galaxy NGC 5806 by the (i)PTF. These SNe, designated PTF12os/SN 2012P and iPTF13bvn, exploded at a similar distance from the host-galaxy center. We classify PTF12os as a Type IIb SN based on our spectral sequence; iPTF13bvn has previously been classified as Type Ib having a likely progenitor with zero age main sequence (ZAMS) mass below ~17 solar masses. Our main objective is to constrain the explosion parameters of iPTF12os and iPTF13bvn, and to put constraints on the SN progenitors. We present comprehensive datasets on the SNe, and introduce a new reference-subtraction pipeline (FPipe) currently in use by the iPTF. We perform a detailed study of the light curves (LCs) and spectral evolution of the SNe. The bolometric LCs are modeled using the hydrodynamical code HYDE. We use nebular models and late-time spectra to constrain the ZAMS mass of the progenitors. We perform image registration of ground-based images of PTF12os to archival HST images of NGC 5806 to identify a potential progenitor candidate. Our nebular spectra of iPTF13bvn indicate a low ZAMS mass of ~12 solar masses for the progenitor. The late-time spectra of PTF12os are consistent with a ZAMS mass of ~15 solar masses. We successfully identify a progenitor candidate to PTF12os using archival HST images. This source is consistent with being a cluster of massive stars. Our hydrodynamical modeling suggests that the progenitor of PTF12os had a compact He core with a mass of 3.25 solar masses, and that 0.063 solar masses of strongly mixed 56Ni was synthesized. Spectral comparisons to the Type IIb SN 2011dh indicate that the progenitor of PTF12os was surrounded by a hydrogen envelope with a mass lower than 0.02 solar masses. We also find tentative evidence that the progenitor of iPTF13bvn could have been surrounded by a small amount of hydrogen.

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arXiv2016

iPTF15dtg: a double-peaked Type Ic Supernova from a massive progenitor

Type Ic supernovae (SNe Ic) arise from the core-collapse of H (and He) poor stars, which could be either single WR stars or lower-mass stars stripped of their envelope by a companion. Their light curves are radioactively powered and usually show a fast rise to peak ($\sim$10-15 d), without any early (first few days) emission bumps (with the exception of broad-lined SNe Ic) as sometimes seen for other types of stripped-envelope SNe (e.g., Type IIb SN 1993J and Type Ib SN 2008D). We have studied iPTF15dtg, a spectroscopically normal SN Ic with an early excess in the optical light curves followed by a long ($\sim$30 d) rise to the main peak. It is the first spectroscopically-normal double-peaked SN Ic observed. We aim to determine the properties of this explosion and of its progenitor star. Optical photometry and spectroscopy of iPTF15dtg was obtained with multiple telescopes. The resulting light curves and spectral sequence are analyzed and modelled with hydrodynamical and analytical models, with particular focus on the early emission. Results. iPTF15dtg is a slow rising SN Ic, similar to SN 2011bm. Hydrodynamical modelling of the bolometric properties reveals a large ejecta mass ($\sim$10 $M_{\odot}$) and strong $^{56}$Ni mixing. The luminous early emission can be reproduced if we account for the presence of an extended ($\sim$500 R$_{\odot}$), low-mass ($\sim$0.045 M$_{\odot}$) envelope around the progenitor star. Alternative scenarios for the early peak, such as the interaction with a companion, a shock-breakout (SBO) cooling tail from the progenitor surface, or a magnetar-driven SBO are not favored. The large ejecta mass and the presence of H and He free extended material around the star suggest that the progenitor of iPTF15dtg was a massive ($\gtrsim$ 35 M$_{\odot}$) WR star suffering strong mass loss.

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arXiv2016

Long-rising Type II supernovae from PTF and CCCP

Supernova (SN) 1987A was a peculiar H-rich event with a long-rising (LR) light curve (LC), stemming from a compact blue supergiant star (BSG). Only a few similar events have been presented in the literature. We present new data for a sample of 6 LR Type II SNe (SNe II), 3 of which were discovered and observed by the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) and 3 observed by the Caltech Core-Collapse Project (CCCP). Our aim is to enlarge the family of LR SNe II, characterizing their properties. Spectra, LCs, and host-galaxies (HG) of these SNe are presented. Comparisons with known SN 1987A-like events are shown, with emphasis on the absolute magnitudes, colors, expansion velocities, and HG metallicities. Bolometric properties are derived from the multiband LC. By modeling the early-time LCs with scaling relations derived from the SuperNova Explosion Code (SNEC) models of MESA progenitor stars, we estimate the progenitor radii of these SNe and other progenitor parameters. We present PTF12kso, a LR SN II with the largest amount of 56Ni mass for this class. PTF09gpn and PTF12kso are found at the lowest HG metallicities for this SN group. The variety of early LC luminosities depends on the wide range of progenitor radii, from a few tens of solar radii (SN 2005ci) up to thousands (SN 2004ek) with intermediate cases between 100 (PTF09gpn) and 300 solar radii (SN 2004em). We confirm that LR SNe II with LC shapes closely resembling that of SN 1987A generally arise from BSGs. However, some of them likely have progenitors with larger radii (~300 solar radii, typical of yellow supergiants) and can thus be regarded as intermediate cases between normal SNe IIP and SN 1987A-like SNe. Some extended red supergiant (RSG) stars such as the progenitor of SN 2004ek can also produce LR SNe II if they synthesized a large amount of 56Ni. Low HG metallicity is confirmed as a characteristic of BSG SNe.

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arXiv2015

Did the progenitor of SN2011dh have a binary companion?

We present late-time Hubble Space Telescope (HST) ultraviolet (UV) and optical observations of the site of SN 2011dh in the galaxy M51, ~1164 days post-explosion. At the SN location, we observe a point source that is visible at all wavelengths, that is significantly fainter than the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the Yellow Supergiant progenitor observed prior to explosion. The previously reported photometry of the progenitor is, therefore, completely unaffected by any sources that may persist at the SN location after explosion. In comparison with the previously reported late-time photometric evolution of SN 2011dh, we find that the light curve has plateaued at all wavelengths. The SED of the late-time source is clearly inconsistent with a SED of stellar origin. Although the SED is bright at UV wavelengths, there is no strong evidence that the late-time luminosity originates solely from a stellar source corresponding to the binary companion, although a partial contribution to the observed UV flux from a companion star can not be ruled out.

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arXiv2015

SN 2011fu: A type IIb Supernova with a luminous double-peaked light curve

We present optical and near infrared observations of the type IIb supernova (SN) 2011fu from a few days to $\sim300$ d after explosion. The SN presents a double-peaked light curve (LC) similar to that of SN 1993J, although more luminous and with a longer cooling phase after the primary peak. The spectral evolution is also similar to SN 1993J's, with hydrogen dominating the spectra to $\sim40$ d, then helium gaining strength, and nebular emission lines appearing from $\sim60$ d post-explosion. The velocities derived from the P-Cygni absorptions are overall similar to those of other type IIb SNe. We have found a strong similarity between the oxygen and magnesium line profiles at late times, which suggests that these lines are forming at the same location within the ejecta. The hydrodynamical modelling of the pseudo-bolometric LC and the observed photospheric velocities suggest that SN 2011fu was the explosion of an extended star ($\rm R\sim450$ R$_\odot$), in which 1.3 $\times 10^{51}$ erg of kinetic energy were released and 0.15 M$_{\rm \odot}$ of $^{56}$Ni were synthesised. In addition, a better reproduction of the observed early pseudo-bolometric LC is achieved if a more massive H-rich-envelope than for other type IIb SNe is considered (0.3 M$_{\rm \odot}$). The hydrodynamical modelling of the LC and the comparison of our late-time spectra with nebular spectral models for type IIb SNe, point to a progenitor for SN 2011fu with a ZAMS mass of 13-18 M$_{\rm \odot}$.

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arXiv2015

The Type IIb SN 2011dh - Two years of observations and modelling of the lightcurves

We present optical and near-infrared (NIR) photometry and spectroscopy as well as modelling of the lightcurves of the Type IIb supernova (SN) 2011dh. Our extensive dataset spans two years, and complemented with Spitzer mid-infrared (MIR) data, we use it to build an optical-to-MIR bolometric lightcurve between days 3 and 732. To model the bolometric lightcurve before day 400 we use a grid of hydrodynamical SN models and a bolometric correction determined with steady-state NLTE modelling. Using this method we find a helium core mass of 3.1 (+0.7-0.4) solar masses for SN 2011dh, consistent within error bars with previous results. We present bolometric and broad-band lightcurves between days 100 and 500 for the Jerkstrand et al. (2014) steady-state NLTE models, and the preferred 12 solar masses (initial mass) model shows a good overall agreement with the observed lightcurves. We find an excess in the K and the MIR bands developing between days 100 and 250, during which an increase in the optical decline rate is also observed. A local origin of the excess is suggested by the depth of the HeI 2.058 micron absorption. Steady-state NLTE models with a modest dust opacity in the core, turned on during this period, reproduce the observed behaviour, but an additional excess in the Spitzer 4.5 micron band remains. CO first-overtone band emission is detected at day 206, and possibly at day 89, and assuming the additional excess to be dominated by CO fundamental band emission, we find fundamental to first-overtone band ratios considerably higher than observed in SN 1987A. This paper concludes our extensive observational and modelling work on SN 2011dh. The results from hydrodynamical modelling, steady-state NLTE modelling, and stellar evolutionary progenitor analysis are all consistent, and suggest an initial mass of 12 solar masses for the progenitor.

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arXiv2015

Metallicity at the explosion sites of interacting transients

Context. Some circumstellar-interacting (CSI) supernovae (SNe) are produced by the explosions of massive stars that have lost mass shortly before the SN explosion. There is evidence that the precursors of some SNe IIn were luminous blue variable (LBV) stars. For a small number of CSI SNe, outbursts have been observed before the SN explosion. Eruptive events of massive stars are named as SN impostors (SN IMs) and whether they herald a forthcoming SN or not is still unclear. The large variety of observational properties of CSI SNe suggests the existence of other progenitors, such as red supergiant (RSG) stars with superwinds. Furthermore, the role of metallicity in the mass loss of CSI SN progenitors is still largely unexplored. Aims. Our goal is to gain insight on the nature of the progenitor stars of CSI SNe by studying their environments, in particular the metallicity at their locations. Methods. We obtain metallicity measurements at the location of 60 transients (including SNe IIn, SNe Ibn, and SN IMs), via emission-line diagnostic on optical spectra obtained at the Nordic Optical Telescope and through public archives. Metallicity values from the literature complement our sample. We compare the metallicity distributions among the different CSI SN subtypes and to those of other core-collapse SN types. We also search for possible correlations between metallicity and CSI SN observational properties. Results. We find that SN IMs tend to occur in environments with lower metallicity than those of SNe IIn. Among SNe IIn, SN IIn-L(1998S-like) SNe show higher metallicities, similar to those of SNe IIL/P, whereas long-lasting SNe IIn (1988Z-like) show lower metallicities, similar to those of SN IMs. The metallicity distribution of SNe IIn can be reproduced by combining the metallicity distributions of SN IMs (that may be produced by major outbursts of massive stars like LBVs) and SNe IIP (produced by RSGs). The same applies to the distributions of the Normalized Cumulative Rank (NCR) values, which quantifies the SN association to H II regions. For SNe IIn, we find larger mass-loss rates and higher CSM velocities at higher metallicities. The luminosity increment in the optical bands during SN IM outbursts tend to be larger at higher metallicity, whereas the SN IM quiescent optical luminosities tend to be lower. Conclusions. The difference in metallicity between SNe IIn and SN IMs suggests that LBVs are only one of the progenitor channels for SNe IIn, with 1988Z-like and 1998S-like SNe possibly arising from LBVs and RSGs, respectively. Finally, even though linedriven winds likely do not primarily drive the late mass-loss of CSI SN progenitors, metallicity has some impact on the observational properties of these transients. Key words. supernovae: general - stars: evolution - galaxies: abundances

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arXiv2015

SN 2009ib: A Type II-P Supernova with an Unusually Long Plateau

We present optical and near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy of SN 2009ib, a Type II-P supernova in NGC 1559. This object has moderate brightness, similar to those of the intermediate-luminosity SNe 2008in and 2009N. Its plateau phase is unusually long, lasting for about 130 days after explosion. The spectra are similar to those of the subluminous SN 2002gd, with moderate expansion velocities. We estimate the $^{56}$Ni mass produced as $0.046 \pm 0.015\,{\rm M}_{\sun}$. We determine the distance to SN 2009ib using both the expanding photosphere method (EPM) and the standard candle method. We also apply EPM to SN 1986L, a type II-P SN that exploded in the same galaxy. Combining the results of different methods, we conclude the distance to NGC 1559 as $D=19.8 \pm 3.0$ Mpc. We examine archival, pre-explosion images of the field taken with the Hubble Space Telescope, and find a faint source at the position of the SN, which has a yellow colour ($(V-I)_0 = 0.85$ mag). Assuming it is a single star, we estimate its initial mass as $M_{\rm ZAMS}=20\,{\rm M}_{\sun}$. We also examine the possibility, that instead of the yellow source the progenitor of SN 2009ib is a red supergiant star too faint to be detected. In this case we estimate the upper limit for the initial zero-age main sequence mass of the progenitor to be $\sim 14-17\,{\rm M}_{\sun}$. In addition, we infer the physical properties of the progenitor at the explosion via hydrodynamical modelling of the observables, and estimate the total energy as $\sim 0.55 \times 10^{51}$~erg, the pre-explosion radius as $\sim 400\,{\rm R}_{\sun}$, and the ejected envelope mass as $\sim 15\,{\rm M}_{\sun}$, which implies that the mass of the progenitor before explosion was $\sim 16.5-17\,{\rm M}_{\sun}$.

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