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Morgan Fraser

Publications and source records attributed to Morgan Fraser.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A JWST redshift for the host galaxy of EP250207b of z=3.2: a collapsar origin is viable

We present James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of the field of the fast X-ray transient (FXT) detected by Einstein Probe, EP250207b, to resolve any ambiguity about the host galaxy and redshift of the FXT. EP250207b was originally associated with a nearby galaxy at z=0.082, based on its low chance alignment probability, and a binary neutron star merger origin was proposed. However, we report the detection of a background galaxy at z=3.2 at the location of EP250207b. Assuming this galaxy is the actual host galaxy, the rest-frame energetics and timescales of the event change. Furthermore, the available data are not able to rule out the presence of a supernova associated with EP250207b if at this redshift. We model the X-ray, optical, near-infrared and radio light curves using a tophat jet model implemented in Redback and find that they are consistent with an on-axis gamma ray burst afterglow. The energetics and host galaxy properties do not allow us to distinguish between a collapsar and a merger driven event.

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Optical observations of candidate host galaxies of eight fast X-ray transients

Fast X-ray transients (FXTs) are extragalactic flashes of X-rays with a typical duration of minutes to hours for which a variety of origins has been proposed and observed. To decipher the origin of FXTs, particularly those lacking multi-wavelength counterparts, we aim to understand their energetics and environments. We present deep optical ground-based observations of the positions of eight FXTs in order to try and identify and characterize candidate host galaxies. We use their properties to discriminate between possible progenitor scenarios. We identify candidate host galaxies for Swift~J050400.2+673405, XRT140507, XRT040610, XRT151121, XRT191127 and EP240708a. For each candidate, we infer the spectroscopic or photometric redshift, stellar mass, star formation rate, metallicity and stellar population age by fitting our data with the spectral energy distribution fitting code BAGPIPES. We re-identify XRT191223 as a Galactic stellar flare. For several FXTs, there are multiple candidate host galaxies, which complicates deriving constraints on the origin of the FXT. Assuming association with (one of) those candidates, all are consistent with a (non-)relativistic white dwarf - intermediate mass black hole tidal disruption event (WD-IMBH TDE) and a binary neutron star (BNS) merger. Two are consistent with a supernova shock breakout and only EP240708a with cocoon emission from a long gamma-ray burst. We also discuss the possibility that the host galaxies remain undetected in our observations. We conclude that FXTs detected by Chandra and XMM-Newton are likely to arise from a variety of origins, and we discuss that part of this population differs from FXTs detected by Einstein Probe many of which appear consistent with a collapsar scenario.

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Failed jet breakout in the metal-poor broad-lined type Ic supernova 2026gzf

A long-standing question in the death of massive stars is the role of relativistic jets. While many gamma-ray bursts and some fast X-ray transients seem to be associated with broad-lined type Ic supernovae, the opposite is not true. The lack of observable jet emission in those Ic-BL SNe can be explained by invoking off-axis jets, choked jets that inject all their energy into the stellar envelope, baryon-loaded jets for which the prompt high-energy emission is strongly suppressed, or non-jetted SNe. The lack of exact explosion time in the majority of SNe presents an obstacle to distinguish between these scenarios. Here we report the properties of SN 2026gzf associated with the X-ray thermal Einstein Probe shock-breakout EP260321a at z=0.0343. The absence of compelling shocked cocoon and radio emission up to 54 days, combined with initial expansion velocities of ~30,000 km/s and a circumstellar shell of ~0.07 M$_\odot$, favour a scenario for SN 2026gzf in which a jet was choked in the circumstellar shell. Our high-spatial resolution images of the SN environment show that the progenitor was located between two highly star-forming regions with a metallicity lower than any previously known Ic-BL SN. As the first case of a Ic-BL SN associated with high-energy prompt emission without the signature of a jet, SN 2026gzf provides a unique perspective to understand the successful launch of relativistic jets during the deaths of massive stars.

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Insights from GRBs for optical follow-up of gravitational wave counterparts

Identifying the electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational wave sources is vital to enabling the myriad of investigations possible with multimessenger astronomy. However, locating faint, fast-varying transients within large localisations remains challenging given the uncertainty in their detailed properties. In this work, we investigate how the nearby merger-induced GRBs would be localised by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA detector network during the fifth gravitational wave observing run (O5) and assess whether their optical counterparts could be detected using gravitational wave localisations alone, without additional localisation from gamma-ray instruments. Counterpart detectability is evaluated using the observed optical afterglow lightcurves of these GRBs and the distance-scaled lightcurve of the kilonova AT2017gfo as a fiducial template. We find that such events can be localised to comparatively small regions of the sky, often only a few to tens of square degrees. As a result, counterparts are detectable by at least one of the available optical telescopes during O5. However, detectability depends strongly on observational depth, as the counterparts are fainter than $22$ mag within a day. Facilities capable of reaching depths of $\gtrsim23$ mag therefore play a key role in recovering these faint counterparts. These results indicate that for such events during O5, the primary challenge for multimessenger discovery will be in achieving sufficient observational depth and reliably identifying the true counterpart among unrelated transients rather than gravitational wave localisation itself.

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SN 2024abvb: a Type Ibn/Icn supernova with evidence of helium and an extreme offset from its host galaxy

We present spectroscopic and photometric observations and analysis of SN 2024abvb, a peculiar transitional Type Ibn/Icn supernova located at an unusually large projected distance from its host galaxy (21.5 kpc). SN 2024abvb displays an extended rise time in the $g$- and $o$-bands (10.1 and 10.6 days respectively), followed by a linear decline in all photometric bands. Comparisons with other supernova subclasses show that the photometric and spectroscopic evolution of SN 2024abvb are distinct from Type~Ibn and Type Icn events, with a higher peak $r$-band luminosity and lower blackbody temperatures. Spectra reveal an initial blue continuum and narrow P-Cygni profiles, with C {\sc ii} $\lambda$5890 dominating in emission, persisting at late phases, and showing a rapid decline in the expansion velocity. Weak He {\sc i} $\lambda$5876 features are tentatively detected at early times. Analysis of progenitor scenarios rules out thermonuclear origins based on incompatible light curve shapes and spectral signatures. A rare massive star progenitor appears unlikely given the low local star formation rate. The most plausible origin is an ultra-stripped supernova scenario involving a binary system; this best explains the observed separation from the host, the low circumstellar material mass, the fast photometric evolution and the low nickel production, although a discrepancy in model versus observed ejecta mass remains. These results reinforce the classification of SN 2024abvb as a distinctive Type Ibn/Icn event and highlight the diversity of progenitor channels for interacting supernovae.

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Direct Detection of Type II-P Supernova Progenitors with the $\textit{Euclid}$ and CSST Surveys

Identifying and characterizing supernova (SN) progenitor stars remains a central yet difficult goal in SN research, limited by archival images lacking sufficient depth or spatial resolution and circumstellar dust biasing intrinsic parameter estimates. This field will be revolutionized by $\textit{Euclid}$ and the upcoming Chinese Space-station Survey Telescope (CSST), which conduct deep, wide-field, high-resolution and multi-band imaging surveys. We evaluate their detection capability by comparing model magnitudes of RSG progenitors with detection limits, finding their optical and near-infrared filters highly effective. Monte-Carlo simulations predict that completed $\textit{Euclid}$ and CSST surveys will enable $\lesssim$13 (or 24) progenitor detections per year within the mass range of 8--16 (or 8--25)\,$M_\odot$, an order of magnitude higher than the current detection rate of $\sim$1 per year (primarily based on HST). With the circumstellar dust, the emerging spectral energy distribution (SED) of the SN progenitor is mainly affected by the optical depth and is almost independent of dust temperature in their survey filters. Mock tests demonstrate that the progenitor mass and dust optical depth can be derived simultaneously by fitting the observed SED over 11 survey filters while fixing dust temperature to a typical value. $\textit{Euclid}$ and CSST will significantly enlarge the sample of direct progenitor detections with accurate mass measurements, crucial for resolving the long-standing RSG problem.

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A binary merger product as the direct progenitor of a Type II-P supernova

Type II-P supernovae (SNe II-P) are the most common class of core-collapse SNe in the local Universe and play critical roles in many aspects of astrophysics. Since decades ago theorists have predicted that SNe II-P may originate not only from single stars but also from interacting binaries. While ~20 SNII-P progenitors have been directly detected on pre-explosion images, observational evidence still remains scarce for this speculated binary progenitor channel. In this work, we report the discovery of a red supergiant progenitor for the Type II-P SN 2018gj. While the progenitor resembles those of other SNe II-P in terms of effective temperature and luminosity, it is located in a very old environment and SN 2018gj has an abnormally short plateau in the light curve. With state-of-the-art binary evolution simulations, we find these characteristics can only be explained if the progenitor of SN 2018gj is the merger product of a close binary system, which developed a different interior structure and evolved over a longer timescale compared with single-star evolution. This work provides the first compelling evidence for the long-sought binary progenitor channel toward SNe II-P, and our methodology serves as an innovative and pragmatic tool to motivate further investigations into this previously hidden population of SNe II-P from binaries.

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JWST and HST observations of the host galaxy and supernova, SN 2024aihh in EP240801a at z=1.67

We present James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of the counterpart of EP240801a, at z=1.67, the first fast X-ray transient (FXT) identified as an X-ray flash (XRF) by the Einstein Probe (EP) and Fermi-GBM. Our observations reveal strong photometric and spectroscopic evidence for an associated broad-lined Type Ic supernova (SN) SN 2024aihh, the most distant spectroscopically identified gamma ray-burst (GRB)-SN to date. The SN exhibits similar luminosity and light curve evolution to the proto-type GRB-SN 1998bw with an absolute magnitude of the SN at $\sim$23 days rest-frame of $M_{F140W} \approx$-19 mag. The SN is located in a host galaxy with complex morphology at a large ($\sim$6 kpc) offset in a region of relatively low surface brightness. The region around the SN has a modest star formation rate and is dominated by an intermediate mass-weighted age (1.4$\pm$0.3 Gyr) population, despite the apparent presence of a young, massive broad-lined Type Ic SN progenitor. These observations demonstrate that observations with HST and JWST can greatly extend the redshift range over which the GRB/FXT-SN connection can be studied, including in relatively low luminosity, X-ray rich events. They demonstrate little apparent evolution in the SN properties from local examples despite EP240801a originating from an epoch 10 Gyr ago.

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A study on late time UV-emission in core collapse supernovae and the implications for the peculiar transient AT2018cow

Over time, core-collapse supernova (CCSN) spectra become redder due to dust formation and cooling of the SN ejecta. A UV detection of a CCSN at late times thus indicates an additional physical process such as interaction between the SN ejecta and the circumstellar material, or viewing down to the central engine of the explosion. Both these models have been proposed to explain the peculiar transient AT2018cow, a luminous fast blue optical transient that has been detected in the UV 2-4 years after the event with only marginal fading over this time period. To identify if the late-time UV detection of AT2018cow could indicate that it is a CCSN, we investigate if CCSNe are detected in the UV between 2-5 years after the explosion. We use a sample of 51 nearby (z<0.065) CCSNe observed with the Hubble Space Telescope within 2-5 years of discovery. We measure their brightness, or determine an upper limit on the emission through an artificial star experiment if there is no detection. For two CCSNe we detect a point source within the uncertainty region of the SN position. Both have a low chance alignment probability with bright objects within their host galaxies and are thus likely related to the SNe. Comparing the absolute UV magnitude of AT2018cow to the absolute UV magnitudes of the two potential SN detections, there is no evidence that a late-time UV detection of AT2018cow is atypical for interacting SNe. However, when limiting to CCSNe closer than AT2018cow, we see that it is brighter than the upper limits on most non-detections. Combined with a very small late time photospheric radius of AT2018cow, this leads us to conclude that AT2018cow's late-time UV detection was not driven by interaction. It suggests instead that we are possibly viewing the inner region of the explosion. Such properties are naturally expected in tidal disruption models and are less straightforward in supernova scenarios.

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The Einstein Probe transient EP240414a: Linking Fast X-ray Transients, Gamma-ray Bursts and Luminous Fast Blue Optical Transients

Detections of fast X-ray transients (FXTs) have been accrued over the last few decades. However, their origin has remained mysterious. There is now rapid progress thanks to timely discoveries and localisations with the Einstein Probe mission. Early results indicate that FXTs may frequently, but not always, be associated with gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Here, we report on the multi-wavelength counterpart of FXT EP240414a, which has no reported gamma-ray counterpart. The transient is located 25.7~kpc in projection from a massive galaxy at $z=0.40$. We perform comprehensive photometric and spectroscopic follow-up. The optical light curve shows at least three distinct emission episodes with timescales of $\sim 1, 4$ and 15 days and peak absolute magnitudes of $M_R \sim -20$, $-21$, and $-19.5$, respectively. The optical spectrum at early times is extremely blue, inconsistent with afterglow emission. It may arise from the interaction of both jet and supernova shock waves with the stellar envelope and a dense circumstellar medium, as has been suggested for some Fast Blue Optical Transients (LFBOTs). At late times, the spectrum evolves to a broad-lined~Type~Ic supernova, similar to those seen in collapsar long-GRBs. This implies that the progenitor of EP240414a is a massive star creating a jet-forming supernova inside a dense envelope, resulting in an X-ray outburst with a luminosity of $\sim 10^{48}$ erg s$^{-1}$, and the complex observed optical/IR light curves. If correct, this argues for a causal link between the progenitors of long-GRBs, FXTs and LFBOTs.

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CSS161010: a luminous, fast blue optical transient with broad blueshifted hydrogen lines

We present ultraviolet, optical and near-infrared photometric and optical spectroscopic observations of the luminous, fast blue optical transient (LFBOT), CSS161010:045834-081803 (CSS161010). The transient was found in a low-redshift (z=0.033) dwarf galaxy. The light curves of CSS161010 are characterized by an extremely fast evolution and blue colours. The V-band light curve shows that CSS161010 reaches an absolute peak of M$_{V}^{max}=-20.66\pm0.06$ mag in 3.8 days from the start of the outburst. After maximum, CSS161010 follows a power-law decline $\propto t^{-2.8\pm0.1}$ in all optical bands. These photometric properties are comparable to those of well-observed LFBOTs such as AT 2018cow, AT 2020mrf and AT 2020xnd. However, unlike these objects, the spectra of CSS161010 show a remarkable transformation from a blue and featureless continuum to spectra dominated by very broad, entirely blueshifted hydrogen emission lines of velocities of up to 10% of the speed of light. The persistent blueshifted emission and the lack of any emission at the rest wavelength of CSS161010 are unique features not seen in any transient before CSS161010. The combined observational properties of CSS161010 and its M$_{*}\sim10^{8}$ M$_\odot$ dwarf galaxy host favour the tidal disruption of a star by an intermediate-mass black hole as its origin.

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Discovery and Extensive Follow-Up of SN 2024ggi, a nearby type IIP supernova in NGC 3621

We present the discovery and early observations of the nearby Type II supernova (SN) 2024ggi in NGC 3621 at 6.64 +/- 0.3 Mpc. The SN was caught 5.8 (+1.9 -2.9) hours after its explosion by the ATLAS survey. Early-phase, high-cadence, and multi-band photometric follow-up was performed by the Kinder (Kilonova Finder) project, collecting over 1000 photometric data points within a week. The combined o- and r-band light curves show a rapid rise of 3.3 magnitudes in 13.7 hours, much faster than SN 2023ixf (another recent, nearby, and well-observed SN II). Between 13.8 and 18.8 hours after explosion SN 2024ggi became bluer, with u-g colour dropping from 0.53 to 0.15 mag. The rapid blueward evolution indicates a wind shock breakout (SBO) scenario. No hour-long brightening expected for the SBO from a bare stellar surface was detected during our observations. The classification spectrum, taken 17 hours after the SN explosion, shows flash features of high-ionization species such as Balmer lines, He I, C III, and N III. Detailed light curve modeling reveals critical insights into the properties of the circumstellar material (CSM). Our favoured model has an explosion energy of 2 x 10^51 erg, a mass-loss rate of 10^-3 solar_mass/yr (with an assumed 10 km/s wind), and a confined CSM radius of 6 x 10^14 cm. The corresponding CSM mass is 0.4 solar_mass. Comparisons with SN 2023ixf highlight that SN 2024ggi has a smaller CSM density, resulting in a faster rise and fainter UV flux. The extensive dataset and the involvement of citizen astronomers underscore that a collaborative network is essential for SBO searches, leading to more precise and comprehensive SN characterizations.

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SN 2020pvb: a Type IIn-P supernova with a precursor outburst

We present photometric and spectroscopic data sets for SN 2020pvb, a Type IIn-P supernova (SN) similar to SNe 1994W, 2005cl, 2009kn and 2011ht, with a precursor outburst detected (PS1 w-band ~ -13.8 mag) around four months before the B-band maximum light. SN 2020pvb presents a relatively bright light curve peaking at M_B = -17.95 +- 0.30 mag and a plateau lasting at least 40 days before it went in solar conjunction. After this, the object is no longer visible at phases > 150 days above -12.5 mag in the B-band, suggesting that the SN 2020pvb ejecta interacts with a dense spatially confined circumstellar envelope. SN 2020pvb shows in its spectra strong Balmer lines and a forest of FeII lines with narrow P Cygni profiles. Using archival images from the Hubble Space Telescope, we constrain the progenitor of SN 2020pvb to have a luminosity of log(L/L_sun) <= 5.4, ruling out any single star progenitor over 50 M_sun. All in all, SN 2020pvb is a Type IIn-P whose progenitor star had an outburst ~ 0.5 yr before the final explosion, the material lost during this outburst is probably playing a role in shaping the physical properties of the supernova.

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The enigmatic double-peaked stripped-envelope SN 2023aew

We present optical and near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy of SN 2023aew and our findings on its remarkable properties. This event, initially resembling a Type IIb supernova (SN), rebrightens dramatically $\sim$90 d after the first peak, at which time its spectrum transforms into that of a SN Ic. The slowly evolving spectrum specifically resembles a post-peak SN~Ic with relatively low line velocities even during the second rise. The second peak, reached 119 d after the first peak, is both more luminous ($M_r = -18.75\pm0.04$ mag) and much broader than those of typical SNe Ic. Blackbody fits to SN 2023aew indicate that the photosphere shrinks almost throughout its observed evolution, and the second peak is caused by an increasing temperature. Bumps in the light curve after the second peak suggest interaction with circumstellar matter (CSM) or possibly accretion. We consider several scenarios for producing the unprecedented behavior of SN 2023aew. Two separate SNe, either unrelated or from the same binary system, require either an incredible coincidence or extreme fine-tuning. A pre-SN eruption followed by a SN requires an extremely powerful, SN-like eruption (consistent with $\sim$10$^{51}$ erg) and is also disfavored. We therefore consider only the first peak a true stellar explosion. The observed evolution is difficult to reproduce if the second peak is dominated by interaction with a distant CSM shell. A delayed internal heating mechanism is more likely, but emerging embedded interaction with a CSM disk should be accompanied by CSM lines in the spectrum, which are not observed, and is difficult to hide long enough. A magnetar central engine requires a delayed onset to explain the long time between the peaks. Delayed fallback accretion onto a black hole may present the most promising scenario, but we cannot definitively establish the power source.

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Detailed spectrophotometric analysis of the superluminous and fast evolving SN 2019neq

SN 2019neq was a very fast evolving superluminous supernova. At a redshift z=0.1059, its peak absolute magnitude was -21.5+/-0.2 mag in g band. In this work, we present data and analysis from an extensive spectrophotometric follow-up campaign using multiple observational facilities. Thanks to a nebular spectrum of SN 2019neq, we investigated some of the properties of the host galaxy at the location of SN 2019neq and found that its metallicity and specific star formation rate are in a good agreement with those usually measured for SLSNe-I hosts. We then discuss the plausibility of the magnetar and the circumstellar interaction scenarios to explain the observed light curves, and interpret a nebular spectrum of SN 2019neq using published SUMO radiative-transfer models. The results of our analysis suggest that the spindown radiation of a millisecond magnetar with a magnetic field B~6e14 G could boost the luminosity of SN 2019neq.

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SN2017egm: A Helium-rich Superluminous Supernova with Multiple Bumps in the Light Curves

When discovered, SN~2017egm was the closest (redshift $z=0.03$) hydrogen-poor superluminous supernova (SLSN-I) and a rare case that exploded in a massive and metal-rich galaxy. Thus, it has since been extensively observed and studied. We report spectroscopic data showing strong emission at around He~I $\lambda$10,830 and four He~I absorption lines in the optical. Consequently, we classify SN~2017egm as a member of an emerging population of helium-rich SLSNe-I (i.e., SLSNe-Ib). We also present our late-time photometric observations. By combining them with archival data, we analyze high-cadence ultra-violet, optical, and near-infrared light curves spanning from early pre-peak ($\sim -20\,d$) to late phases ($\sim +300\,d$). We obtain its most complete bolometric light curve, in which multiple bumps are identified. None of the previously proposed models can satisfactorily explain all main light-curve features, while multiple interactions between the ejecta and circumstellar material (CSM) may explain the undulating features. The prominent infrared excess with a blackbody luminosity of $10^7$--$10^8\,L_{sun}$ detected in SN~2017egm could originate from the emission of either an echo of a pre-existing dust shell, or newly-formed dust, offering an additional piece of evidence supporting the ejecta-CSM interaction model. Moreover, our analysis of deep $Chandra$ observations yields the tightest-ever constraint on the X-ray emission of an SLSN-I, amounting to an X-ray-to-optical luminosity ratio $\lesssim 10^{-3}$ at late phases ($\sim100-200\,d$), which could help explore its close environment and central engine.

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Time varying Na I D absorption in ILRTs as a probe of circumstellar material

Intermediate-Luminosity Red Transients (ILRTs) are a class of observed transient posited to arise from the production of an electron-capture supernova from a super-asymptotic giant branch star within a dusty cocoon. In this paper, we present a systematic analysis of narrow Na I D absorption as a means of probing the circumstellar environment of these events. We find a wide diversity of evolution in ILRTs in terms of line strength, time-scale, and shape. We present a simple toy model designed to predict this evolution as arising from ejecta from a central supernova passing through a circumstellar environment wherein Na II is recombining to Na I over time. We find that while our toy model can qualitatively explain the evolution of a number of ILRTs, the majority of our sample undergoes evolution more complex than predicted. The success of using the Na I D doublet as a diagnostic tool for studying circumstellar material will rely on the availability of regular high-resolution spectral observations of multiple ILRTs, and more detailed spectral modelling will be required to produce models capable of explaining the diverse range of behaviours exhibited by ILRTs. In addition, the strength of the Na I D absorption feature has been used as a means of estimating the extinction of sources, and we suggest that the variability visible in ILRTs would prevent such methods from being used for this class of transient, and any others showing evidence of variability

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$Hubble~Space~Telescope$ Reveals Spectacular Light Echoes Associated with the Stripped-envelope Supernova 2016adj in the Iconic Dust Lane of Centaurus A

We present a multi-band sequence of $Hubble~Space~Telescope$ images documenting the emergence and evolution of multiple light echoes (LEs) linked to the stripped-envelope supernova (SN) 2016adj located in the central dust-lane of Centaurus A. Following point-spread function subtraction, we identify the earliest LE emission associated with a SN at only $+$34 days (d) past the epoch of $B$-band maximum. Additional HST images extending through $+$578 d cover the evolution of LE1 taking the form of a ring, while images taken on $+$1991 d reveals not only LE1, but also segments of a new inner LE ring (LE2) as well as two additional outer LE rings (LE3 & LE4). Adopting the single scattering formalism, the angular radii of the LEs suggest they originate from discrete dust sheets in the foreground of the SN. This information, combined with measurements of color and optical depth of the scattering surfaces, informs a scenario with multiple sheets of clumpy dust characterized by a varying degree of holes. In this case, the larger the LE's angular radii, the further in the foreground of the SN its dust sheet is located. However, an exception to this is LE2, which is formed by a dust sheet located in closer proximity to the SN than the dust sheets producing LE1, LE3, and LE4. The delayed appearance of LE2 can be attributed to its dust sheet having a significant hole along the line-of-sight between the SN and Earth.

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