arXiv subjects

Ryan J. Foley

Publications and source records attributed to Ryan J. Foley.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

The Renovated Thacher Observatory and First Science Results

Located on the campus of the Thacher School in Southern California, the Thacher Observatory has a legacy of astronomy research and education that dates back to the late 1950's. In 2016, the observatory was fully renovated with upgrades including a new 0.7-m telescope, a research grade camera, and a slit dome with full automation capabilities. The low-elevation site is bordered by the Los Padres National Forest and therefore affords dark to very dark skies allowing for accurate and precise photometric observations. We present a characterization of the site including sky brightness, weather, and seeing, and we demonstrate the on-sky performance of the facility. Our primary research programs are based around our multi-band photometric capabilities and include photometric monitoring of variable sources, a nearby supernova search and followup program, a quick response transient followup effort, and exoplanet and eclipsing binary light curves. Select results from these programs are included in this work which highlight the broad range of science available to an automated observatory with a moderately sized telescope.

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arXiv2022

The Pantheon+ Analysis: The Full Dataset and Light-Curve Release

Here we present 1701 light curves of 1550 spectroscopically confirmed Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) that will be used to infer cosmological parameters as part of the Pantheon+ SN analysis and the SH0ES (Supernovae and H0 for the Equation of State of dark energy) distance-ladder analysis. This effort is one part of a series of works that perform an extensive review of redshifts, peculiar velocities, photometric calibration, and intrinsic-scatter models of SNe Ia. The total number of light curves, which are compiled across 18 different surveys, is a significant increase from the first Pantheon analysis (1048 SNe), particularly at low redshift ($z$). Furthermore, unlike in the Pantheon analysis, we include light curves for SNe with $z<0.01$ such that SN systematic covariance can be included in a joint measurement of the Hubble constant (H$_0$) and the dark energy equation-of-state parameter ($w$). We use the large sample to compare properties of 151 SNe Ia observed by multiple surveys and 12 pairs/triplets of "SN siblings" - SNe found in the same host galaxy. Distance measurements, application of bias corrections, and inference of cosmological parameters are discussed in the companion paper by Brout et al. (2022b), and the determination of H$_0$ is discussed by Riess et al. (2022). These analyses will measure w with $\sim3\%$ precision and H$_0$ with 1 km/s/Mpc precision.

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arXiv2021

SN 2018agk: A Prototypical Type Ia Supernova with a Smooth Power-law Rise in Kepler (K2)

We present the 30-min cadence Kepler/K2 light curve of the Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) SN 2018agk, covering approximately one week before explosion, the full rise phase and the decline until 40 days after peak. We additionally present ground-based observations in multiple bands within the same time range, including the 1-day cadence DECam observations within the first $\sim$5 days after the first light. The Kepler early light curve is fully consistent with a single power-law rise, without evidence of any bump feature. We compare SN 2018agk with a sample of other SNe~Ia without early excess flux from the literature. We find that SNe Ia without excess flux have slowly-evolving early colors in a narrow range ($g-i\approx -0.20\pm0.20$ mag) within the first $\sim 10$ days. On the other hand, among SNe Ia detected with excess, SN 2017cbv and SN 2018oh tend to be bluer, while iPTF16abc's evolution is similar to normal SNe Ia without excess in $g-i$. We further compare the Kepler light curve of SN 2018agk with companion-interaction models, and rule out the existence of a typical non-degenerate companion undergoing Roche-lobe overflow at viewing angles smaller than $45^{\circ}$.

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arXiv2021

Still Brighter than Pre-Explosion, SN 2012Z Did Not Disappear: Comparing Hubble Space Telescope Observations a Decade Apart

Type Iax supernovae represent the largest class of peculiar white-dwarf supernovae. The type Iax SN~2012Z in NGC 1309 is the only white dwarf supernova with a detected progenitor system in pre-explosion observations. Deep \textit{Hubble Space Telescope} images taken before SN~2012Z show a luminous, blue source that we have interpreted as a helium-star companion (donor) to the exploding white dwarf. We present here late-time \textit{HST} observations taken $\sim$1400 days after the explosion to test this model. We find the SN light curve can empirically be fit by an exponential decay model in magnitude units. The fitted asymptotic brightness is within $10\%$ of our latest measurements and approximately twice the brightness of the pre-explosion source. The decline of the light curve is too slow to be powered by $^{56}$Co or $^{57}$Co decay: if radioactive decay is the dominate power source, it must be from longer half-life species like $^{55}$Fe. Interaction with circumstellar material may contribute to the light curve, as may shock heating of the companion star. Companion-star models underpredict the observed flux in the optical, producing most of their flux in the UV at these epochs. A radioactively-heated bound remnant, left after only a partial disruption of the white dwarf, is also capable of producing the observed excess late-time flux. Our analysis suggests that the total ejecta + remnant mass is consistent with the Chandrasekhar mass for a range of type Iax supernovae.

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arXiv2021

A Carbon/Oxygen-dominated Atmosphere Days After Explosion for the "Super-Chandrasekhar" Type Ia SN 2020esm

Seeing pristine material from the donor star in a Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) explosion can reveal the nature of the binary system. In this paper, we present photometric and spectroscopic observations of SN 2020esm, one of the best-studied SNe of the class of "super-Chandrasekhar" SNe Ia (SC SNe Ia), with data obtained $-12$ to +360 days relative to peak brightness, obtained from a variety of ground- and space-based telescopes. Initially misclassified as a Type II supernova, SN 2020esm peaked at $M_{B} = -19.9$ mag, declined slowly ($Δm_{15}(B) = 0.92$ mag), and had particularly blue UV and optical colors at early times. Photometrically and spectroscopically, SN 2020esm evolved similarly to other SC SNe Ia, showing the usual low ejecta velocities, weak intermediate mass elements (IMEs), and the enhanced fading at late times, but its early spectra are unique. Our first few spectra (corresponding to a phase of $\gtrsim$10~days before peak) reveal a nearly-pure carbon/oxygen atmosphere during the first days after explosion. This composition can only be produced by pristine material, relatively unaffected by nuclear burning. The lack of H and He may further indicate that SN 2020esm is the outcome of the merger of two carbon/oxygen white dwarfs (WDs). Modeling its bolometric light curve, we find a $^{56}$Ni mass of $1.23^{+0.14}_{-0.14}$ M$_{\odot}$ and an ejecta mass of $1.75^{+0.32}_{-0.20}$ M$_{\odot}$, in excess of the Chandrasekhar mass. Finally, we discuss possible progenitor systems and explosion mechanisms of SN 2020esm and, in general, the SC SNe Ia class.

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arXiv2021

Final Moments I: Precursor Emission, Envelope Inflation, and Enhanced Mass loss Preceding the Luminous Type II Supernova 2020tlf

We present panchromatic observations and modeling of supernova (SN) 2020tlf, the first normal type II-P/L SN with confirmed precursor emission, as detected by the Young Supernova Experiment transient survey with the Pan-STARRS1 telescope. Pre-explosion emission was detected in $riz-$bands at 130 days prior to SN 2020tlf and persisted at relatively constant flux until first light. Soon after discovery, "flash" spectroscopy of SN 2020tlf revealed prominent narrow symmetric emission lines ($v_w < 300$ km s$^{-1}$) that resulted from the photo-ionization of unshocked circumstellar material (CSM) shedded in progenitor mass loss episodes in the final weeks to months before explosion. Surprisingly, this novel display of pre-SN emission and associated mass loss occurred in a RSG progenitor with ZAMS mass of only 10-12 M$_{\odot}$, as inferred from nebular spectra. Modeling of the light curve and multi-epoch spectra with the non-LTE radiative transfer code CMFGEN and radiation-hydrodynamical (RHD) code HERACLES suggests a dense CSM limited to $r \approx 10^{15}$ cm, and mass loss rate of $10^{-2}$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$. The subsequent luminous light-curve plateau and persistent blue excess indicates an extended progenitor, compatible with a RSG model with $R_{\star} = 1100$ R$_{\odot}$. Inferences from the limits on the shock-powered X-ray and radio luminosity are consistent with these conclusions and suggest a CSM density of $ρ< 2 \times 10^{-16}$ g cm$^{-3}$ for distances of $r \approx 5 \times 10^{15}$ cm, as well as a mass loss rate of $\dot M<1.3 \times 10^{-5}\,\rm{M_{\odot}\,yr^{-1}}$ at larger distances. A promising power source for the observed precursor emission is the ejection of stellar material following energy disposition into the stellar envelope as a result of gravity waves emitted during either neon/oxygen burning or a nuclear flash from silicon combustion.

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arXiv2021

Updated Photometry of the Yellow Supergiant Progenitor and Late-time Observations of the Type IIb Supernova 2016gkg

We present Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of the type IIb supernova (SN) 2016gkg at 652, 1698, and 1795 days with the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3). Comparing to pre-explosion imaging from 2001 obtained with the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2, we demonstrate that SN 2016gkg is now fainter than its candidate counterpart in the latest WFC3 imaging, implying that the counterpart has disappeared and confirming that it was the SN progenitor star. We show the latest light curve and Keck spectra of SN 2016gkg, which implies that SN 2016gkg is declining more slowly than the expected rate for ${}^{56}$Co decay during its nebular phase. We find that this emission is too luminous to be powered by other radioisotopes, thus we infer that SN 2016gkg is entering a new phase in its evolution where it is powered primarily by interaction with circumstellar matter. Finally, we re-analyze the progenitor star spectral energy distribution and late-time limits in the context of binary evolution models and including emission from a potential companion star and find that all companion stars would be fainter than our limiting magnitudes.

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arXiv2021

An Early-Time Optical and Ultraviolet Excess in the type-Ic SN 2020oi

We present photometric and spectroscopic observations of Supernova 2020oi (SN 2020oi), a nearby ($\sim$17 Mpc) type-Ic supernova (SN Ic) within the grand-design spiral M100. We undertake a comprehensive analysis to characterize the evolution of SN 2020oi and constrain its progenitor system. We detect flux in excess of the fireball rise model $δt \approx 2.5$ days from the date of explosion in multi-band optical and UV photometry from the Las Cumbres Observatory and the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, respectively. The derived SN bolometric luminosity is consistent with an explosion with $M_{\rm ej} = 0.81 \pm 0.03 M_{\odot}$, $E_{k}= 0.79 \pm 0.09 \times 10^{51} \rm{erg} \rm{s}^{-1}$, and $M_{\rm Ni56} = 0.08 \pm 0.02 M_{\odot}$. Inspection of the event's decline reveals the highest $Δm_{15,\rm{bol}}$ reported for a stripped-envelope event to date. Modeling of optical spectra near event peak indicates a partially mixed ejecta comparable in composition to the ejecta observed in SN 1994I, while the earliest spectrum shows signatures of a possible interaction with material of a distinct composition surrounding the SN progenitor. Further, Hubble Space Telescope (HST) pre-explosion imaging reveals a stellar cluster coincident with the event. From the cluster photometry, we derive the mass and age of the SN progenitor using stellar evolution models implemented in the BPASS library. Our results indicate that SN 2020oi occurred in a binary system from a progenitor of mass $M_{\rm ZAMS} \approx 9.5 \pm 1.0 M_{\odot}$, corresponding to an age of $27 \pm 7$ Myr. SN 2020oi is the dimmest SN Ic event to date for which an early-time flux excess has been observed, and the first in which an early excess is unlikely to be associated with shock-cooling.

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arXiv2021

Spectropolarimetry of the Type Ia SN 2019ein rules out significant global asphericity of the ejecta

Detailed spectropolarimetric studies may hold the key to probing the explosion mechanisms and the progenitor scenarios of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). We present multi-epoch spectropolarimetry and imaging polarimetry of SN 2019ein, an SN Ia showing high expansion velocities at early phases. The spectropolarimetry sequence spans from $\sim -11$ to $+$10 days relative to peak brightness in the $B$-band. We find that the level of the continuum polarization of SN 2019ein, after subtracting estimated interstellar polarization, is in the range $0.0-0.3\%$, typical for SNe Ia. The polarization position angle remains roughly constant before and after the SN light-curve peak, implying that the inner regions share the same axisymmetry as the outer layers. We observe high polarization ($\sim 1\%$) across both the Si II $\lambda6355$ and Ca II near-infrared triplet features. These two lines also display complex polarization modulations. The spectropolarimetric properties of SN 2019ein rule out a significant departure from spherical symmetry of the ejecta for up to a month after the explosion. These observations disfavour merger-induced and double-detonation models for SN 2019ein. The imaging polarimetry shows weak evidence for a modest increase in polarization after $\sim 20$ days since the $B$-band maximum. If this rise is real and is observed in other SNe Ia at similar phases, we may have seen, for the first time, an aspherical interior similar to what has been previously observed for SNe IIP. Future polarization observations of SNe Ia extending to post-peak epochs will help to examine the inner structure of the explosion.

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arXiv2021

A tidal disruption event coincident with a high-energy neutrino

Cosmic neutrinos provide a unique window into the otherwise-hidden mechanism of particle acceleration in astrophysical objects. A flux of high-energy neutrinos was discovered in 2013, and the IceCube Collaboration recently reported the likely association of one high-energy neutrino with a flare from the relativistic jet of an active galaxy pointed towards the Earth. However a combined analysis of many similar active galaxies revealed no excess from the broader population, leaving the vast majority of the cosmic neutrino flux unexplained. Here we present the likely association of a radio-emitting tidal disruption event, AT2019dsg, with a second high-energy neutrino. AT2019dsg was identified as part of our systematic search for optical counterparts to high-energy neutrinos with the Zwicky Transient Facility. The probability of finding any coincident radio-emitting tidal disruption event by chance is 0.5%, while the probability of finding one as bright in bolometric energy flux as AT2019dsg is 0.2%. Our electromagnetic observations can be explained through a multi-zone model, with radio analysis revealing a central engine, embedded in a UV photosphere, that powers an extended synchrotron-emitting outflow. This provides an ideal site for PeV neutrino production. Assuming that the association is genuine, our observations suggest that tidal disruption events with mildly-relativistic outflows contribute to the cosmic neutrino flux.

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arXiv2021

AT 2019qyl in NGC 300: Internal Collisions in the Early Outflow from a Very Fast Nova in a Symbiotic Binary

Nova eruptions, thermonuclear explosions on the surfaces of white dwarfs (WDs), are now recognized to be among the most common shock-powered astrophysical transients. We present the early discovery and rapid ultraviolet (UV), optical, and infrared (IR) temporal development of AT 2019qyl, a recent nova in the nearby Sculptor Group galaxy NGC 300. The light curve shows a rapid rise lasting $\lesssim 1$ day, reaching a peak absolute magnitude of $M_V = -9.2$ mag, and a very fast decline, fading by 2 mag over 3.5 days. A steep dropoff in the light curves after 71 days and the rapid decline timescale suggest a low-mass ejection from a massive WD with $M_{\rm WD} \gtrsim 1.2~M_{\odot}$. We present an unprecedented view of the early spectroscopic evolution of such an event. Three spectra prior to the peak reveal a complex, multicomponent outflow giving rise to internal collisions and shocks in the ejecta of an He/N-class nova. We identify a coincident IR-variable counterpart in the extensive preeruption coverage of the transient location and infer the presence of a symbiotic progenitor system with an O-rich asymptotic-giant-branch donor star, as well as evidence for an earlier UV-bright outburst in 2014. We suggest that AT 2019qyl is analogous to the subset of Galactic recurrent novae with red-giant companions such as RS Oph and other embedded nova systems like V407 Cyg. Our observations provide new evidence that internal shocks between multiple, distinct outflow components likely contribute to the generation of the shock-powered emission from such systems.

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arXiv2021

ASASSN-14lp: two possible solutions for the observed UV suppression

We test the adequacy of ultraviolet (UV) spectra for characterizing the outer structure of Type Ia supernova (SN) ejecta. For this purpose, we perform spectroscopic analysis for ASASSN-14lp, a normal SN Ia showing low continuum in the mid-UV regime. To explain the strong UV suppression, two possible origins have been investigated by mapping the chemical profiles over a significant part of their ejecta. We fit the spectral time series with mid-UV coverage obtained before and around maximum light by HST, supplemented with ground-based optical observations for the earliest epochs. The synthetic spectra are calculated with the one dimensional MC radiative-transfer code TARDIS from self-consistent ejecta models. Among several physical parameters, we constrain the abundance profiles of nine chemical elements. We find that a distribution of $^{56}$Ni (and other iron-group elements) that extends toward the highest velocities reproduces the observed UV flux well. The presence of radioactive material in the outer layers of the ejecta, if confirmed, implies strong constraints on the possible explosion scenarios. We investigate the impact of the inferred $^{56}$Ni distribution on the early light curves with the radiative transfer code TURTLS, and confront the results with the observed light curves of ASASSN-14lp. The inferred abundances are not in conflict with the observed photometry. We also test whether the UV suppression can be reproduced if the radiation at the photosphere is significantly lower in the UV regime than the pure Planck function. In this case, solar metallicity might be sufficient enough at the highest velocities to reproduce the UV suppression.

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arXiv2021

The Gravity Collective: A Search for the Electromagnetic Counterpart to the Neutron Star-Black Hole Merger GW190814

We present optical follow-up imaging obtained with the Katzman Automatic Imaging Telescope, Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network, Nickel Telescope, Swope Telescope, and Thacher Telescope of the LIGO/Virgo gravitational wave (GW) signal from the neutron star-black hole (NSBH) merger GW190814. We searched the GW190814 localization region (19 deg$^{2}$ for the 90th percentile best localization), covering a total of 51 deg$^{2}$ and 94.6% of the two-dimensional localization region. Analyzing the properties of 189 transients that we consider as candidate counterparts to the NSBH merger, including their localizations, discovery times from merger, optical spectra, likely host-galaxy redshifts, and photometric evolution, we conclude that none of these objects are likely to be associated with GW190814. Based on this finding, we consider the likely optical properties of an electromagnetic counterpart to GW190814, including possible kilonovae and short gamma-ray burst afterglows. Using the joint limits from our follow-up imaging, we conclude that a counterpart with an $r$-band decline rate of 0.68 mag day$^{-1}$, similar to the kilonova AT 2017gfo, could peak at an absolute magnitude of at most $-17.8$ mag (50% confidence). Our data are not constraining for ''red'' kilonovae and rule out ''blue'' kilonovae with $M>0.5 M_{\odot}$ (30% confidence). We strongly rule out all known types of short gamma-ray burst afterglows with viewing angles $<$17$^{\circ}$ assuming an initial jet opening angle of $\sim$$5.2^{\circ}$ and explosion energies and circumburst densities similar to afterglows explored in the literature. Finally, we explore the possibility that GW190814 merged in the disk of an active galactic nucleus, of which we find four in the localization region, but we do not find any candidate counterparts among these sources.

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arXiv2021

Discovery of a Fast Iron Low-ionization Outflow in the Early Evolution of the Nearby Tidal Disruption Event AT2019qiz

We report the results of ultraviolet (UV) and optical photometric and spectroscopic analysis of the tidal disruption event (TDE) AT2019qiz. Our follow-up observations started $<$10 days after the source began to brighten in the optical and lasted for a period of six months. Our late-time host-dominated spectrum indicates that the host galaxy likely harbors a weak active galactic nucleus. The initial {\it Hubble Space Telescope (HST)} spectrum of AT2019qiz exhibits an iron and low-ionization broad absorption line (FeLoBAL) system that is seen for the first time in a TDE. This spectrum also bears a striking resemblance to that of Gaia16apd, a superluminous supernova. Our observations provide insights into the outflow properties in TDEs and show evidence for a connection between TDEs and engine-powered supernovae at early phase, as originally suggested in Metzger & Stone (2016). In a time frame of 50 days, the UV spectra of AT2019qiz started to resemble previous TDEs with only high-ionization BALs. The change in UV spectral signatures is accompanied by a decrease in the outflow velocity, which began at $15,000$ km s$^{-1}$ and decelerated to $\sim10,000$ km s$^{-1}$. A similar evolution in the H$α$ emission line width further supports the speculation that the broad Balmer emission lines are formed in TDE outflows. In addition, we detect narrow absorption features on top of the FeLoBAL signatures in the early HST UV spectrum of AT2019qiz. The measured HI column density corresponds to a Lyman-limit system whereas the metal absorption lines, such as NV, CIV, FeII, and MgII, are likely probing the circumnuclear gas and interstellar medium in the host galaxy.

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arXiv2021

Constraints on the Sub-pc Environment of the Nearby Type Iax SN 2014dt from Deep X-ray and Radio Observations

We present X-ray and radio observations of what may be the closest type Iax supernova (SN) to date, SN 2014dt (d=12.3-19.3 Mpc) and provide tight constraints on the radio and X-ray emission. We infer a specific radio luminosity of < (1.0-2.4)E25 erg/s/Hz at a frequency of 7.5 GHz and a X-ray luminosity < 1.4E38 erg/s (0.3-10 keV) at ~38-48 days post-explosion. We interpret these limits in the context of Inverse Compton (IC) emission and synchrotron emission from a population of electrons accelerated at the forward shock of the explosion in a power-law distribution $N_e(γ_e)\propto γ_e^{-p}$ with p=3. Our analysis constrains the progenitor system mass-loss rate to be smaller than 5E-6 solar masses per year at distances where r <= 1E16 cm for an assumed wind velocity v=100 km/s, and a fraction of post-shock energy into magnetic fields and relativistic electrons of epsilon_B=0.01 and epsilon_e=0.1, respectively. This result rules out some of the parameter space of symbiotic giant star companions, and it is consistent with the low mass-loss rates expected from He-star companions. Our calculations also show that the improved sensitivity of the next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) is needed to probe the very low-density media characteristic of He stars that are the leading model for binary stellar companions of white dwarfs giving origin to type Iax SNe.

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arXiv2021

Strong Calcium Emission Indicates that the Ultraviolet-Flashing Type Ia SN 2019yvq was the Result of a Sub-Chandrasekhar Mass Double-Detonation Explosion

We present nebular spectra of the Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) SN 2019yvq, which had a bright flash of blue and ultraviolet light after exploding, followed by a rise similar to other SNe Ia. Although SN 2019yvq displayed several other rare characteristics such as persistent high ejecta velocity near peak brightness, it was not especially peculiar and if the early "excess" emission were not observed, it would likely be included in cosmological samples. The excess flux can be explained by several different physical models linked to the details of the progenitor system and explosion mechanism. Each has unique predictions for the optically thin emission at late times. In our nebular spectra, we detect strong [Ca II] $λλ$7291, 7324 and Ca NIR triplet emission, consistent with a double-detonation explosion. We do not detect H, He, or [O I] emission, predictions for some single-degenerate progenitor systems and violent white dwarf mergers. The amount of swept-up H or He is <2.8 x 10^-4 and 2.4 x 10^-4 Msun, respectively. Aside from strong Ca emission, the SN 2019yvq nebular spectrum is similar to those of typical SNe Ia with the same light-curve shape. Comparing to double-detonation models, we find that the Ca emission is consistent with a model with a total progenitor mass of 1.15 Msun. However, we note that a lower progenitor mass better explains the early light-curve and peak luminosity. The unique properties of SN 2019yvq suggest that thick He-shell double-detonations only account for $1.1^{+2.1}_{-1.1}\%$ of the total "normal" SN Ia rate. SN 2019yvq is one of the best examples yet that multiple progenitor channels appear necessary to reproduce the full diversity of "normal" SNe Ia.

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arXiv2021

The Foundation Supernova Survey: Photospheric Velocity Correlations in Type Ia Supernovae

The ejecta velocities of type-Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), as measured by the Si II $λ6355$ line, have been shown to correlate with other supernova properties, including color and standardized luminosity. We investigate these results using the Foundation Supernova Survey, with a spectroscopic data release presented here, and photometry analyzed with the SALT2 light-curve fitter. We find that the Foundation data do not show significant evidence for an offset in color between SNe Ia with high and normal photospheric velocities, with $Δc = 0.005 \pm 0.014$. Our SALT2 analysis does show evidence for redder high-velocity SN Ia in other samples, including objects from the Carnegie Supernova Project, with a combined sample yielding $Δc = 0.017 \pm 0.007$. When split on velocity, the Foundation SN Ia also do not show a significant difference in Hubble diagram residual, $ΔHR = 0.015 \pm 0.049$ mag. Intriguingly, we find that SN Ia ejecta velocity information may be gleaned from photometry, particularly in redder optical bands. For high-redshift SN Ia, these rest-frame red wavelengths will be observed by the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Our results also confirm previous work that SN Ia host-galaxy stellar mass is strongly correlated with ejecta velocity: high-velocity SN Ia are found nearly exclusively in high-stellar-mass hosts. However, host-galaxy properties alone do not explain velocity-dependent differences in supernova colors and luminosities across samples. Measuring and understanding the connection between intrinsic explosion properties and supernova environments, across cosmic time, will be important for precision cosmology with SNe Ia.

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arXiv2021

Late-time Observations of Calcium-Rich Transient SN 2019ehk Reveal a Pure Radioactive Decay Power Source

We present $\textit{Hubble Space Telescope}$ imaging of the Calcium-rich supernova (SN) 2019ehk at 276 - 389 days after explosion. These observations represent the latest photometric measurements of a Calcium-rich transient to date and allows for the first opportunity to analyze the late-time evolution of an object in this observational SN class. We find that the late-time bolometric light curve of SN 2019ehk can be described predominantly through the radioactive decay of ${}^{56}\textrm{Co}$ for which we derive a mass of $M({}^{56}\textrm{Co}) = (2.8 \pm 0.1) \times 10^{-2}$$\rm{M}_\odot$. Furthermore, the rate of decline in bolometric luminosity requires the leakage of $γ$-rays on timescale $t_γ = 53.9 \pm 1.30$ days, but we find no statistical evidence for incomplete positron trapping in the SN ejecta. While our observations cannot constrain the exact masses of other radioactive isotopes synthesized in SN 2019ehk, we estimate a mass ratio limit of $M({}^{57}\textrm{Co}) / M({}^{56}\textrm{Co}) \leq 0.030$. This limit is consistent with the explosive nucleosynthesis produced in the merger of low-mass white dwarfs, which is one of the favored progenitor scenarios in early-time studies of SN 2019ehk.

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