arXiv subjects

S. Srivastav

Publications and source records attributed to S. Srivastav.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

Panchromatic evolution of three luminous red novae: Forbidden hugs in pandemic times -- IV

We present photometric and spectroscopic data on three extragalactic luminous red novae (LRNe): AT2018bwo, AT2021afy, and AT2021blu. AT2018bwo was discovered in NGC45 (at 6.8 Mpc) a few weeks after the outburst onset. During the monitoring period, the transient reached a peak luminosity of 10^40 erg/s. AT2021afy, hosted by UGC10043 (49.2 Mpc), showed a double-peaked light curve, with the two peaks reaching a similar luminosity of 2.1(+-0.6)x10^41 erg/s. For AT2021blu in UGC5829, (8.6 Mpc), the pre-outburst phase was well-monitored by several photometric surveys, and the object showed a slow luminosity rise before the outburst. The light curve of AT2021blu was sampled with an unprecedented cadence until the object disappeared behind the Sun, and it was then recovered at late phases. The light curve of AT2021blu shows a double peak, with a prominent early maximum reaching a luminosity of 6.5x10^40 erg/s, which is half of that of AT2021afy. The spectra of AT2021afy and AT2021blu display the expected evolution for LRNe: a blue continuum dominated by prominent Balmer lines in emission during the first peak, and a redder continuum consistent with that of a K-type star with narrow absorption metal lines during the second, broad maximum. The spectra of AT2018bwo are markedly different, with a very red continuum dominated by broad molecular features in absorption. As these spectra closely resemble those of LRNe after the second peak, AT2018bwo was probably discovered at the very late evolutionary stages. This would explain its fast evolution and the spectral properties compatible with that of an M-type star. From the analysis of deep frames of the LRN sites years before the outburst, and considerations of the light curves, the quiescent progenitor systems of the three LRNe were likely massive, with primaries ranging from 13Mo for AT2018bwo, to 13-18Mo for AT2021blu, and over 40Mo for AT2021afy.

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arXiv2021

Photometric, polarimetric, and spectroscopic studies of the luminous, slow-decaying Type Ib SN 2012au

Optical, near-infrared (NIR) photometric and spectroscopic studies, along with the optical imaging polarimetric results for SN 2012au, are presented in this article to constrain the nature of the progenitor and other properties. Well-calibrated multiband optical photometric data (from $-$0.2 to +413 d since $B$-band maximum) were used to compute the bolometric light curve and to perform semi-analytical light-curve modelling using the $\texttt{MINIM}$ code. A spin-down millisecond magnetar-powered model explains the observed photometric evolution of SN 2012au reasonably. Early-time imaging polarimetric follow-up observations ($-$2 to +31 d) and comparison with other similar cases indicate signatures of asphericity in the ejecta. Good spectral coverage of SN 2012au (from $-$5 to +391 d) allows us to trace the evolution of layers of SN ejecta in detail. SN 2012au exhibits higher line velocities in comparison with other SNe Ib. Late nebular phase spectra of SN 2012au indicate a Wolf$-$Rayet star as the possible progenitor for SN 2012au, with oxygen, He-core, and main-sequence masses of $\sim$1.62 $\pm$ 0.15 M$_\odot$, $\sim$4$-$8 M$_\odot$, and $\sim$17$-$25 M$_\odot$, respectively. There is a clear absence of a first overtone of carbon monoxide (CO) features up to +319 d in the $K$-band region of the NIR spectra. Overall analysis suggests that SN 2012au is one of the most luminous slow-decaying Type Ib SNe, having comparatively higher ejecta mass ($\sim$4.7$-$8.3 M$_\odot$) and kinetic energy ($\sim$[4.8 $-$ 5.4] $\times$ 10$^{51}$ erg). Detailed modelling using $\texttt{MESA}$ and the results obtained through $\texttt{STELLA}$ and $\texttt{SNEC}$ explosions also strongly support spin-down of a magnetar with mass of around 20 M$_\odot$ and metallicity Z = 0.04 as a possible powering source of SN 2012au.

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arXiv2021

The luminous red nova variety: AT 2020hat and AT 2020kog

We present the results of our monitoring campaigns of the luminous red novae (LRNe) AT 2020hat in NGC 5068 and AT 2020kog in NGC 6106. The two objects were imaged (and detected) before their discovery by routine survey operations. They show a general trend of slow luminosity rise, lasting at least a few months. The subsequent major LRN outbursts were extensively followed in photometry and spectroscopy. The light curves present an initial short-duration peak, followed by a redder plateau phase. AT 2020kog is a moderately luminous event peaking at ~7 x 10^40 erg/s, while AT 2020hat is almost one order of magnitude fainter than AT 2020kog, although it is still more luminous than V838 Mon. In analogy with other LRNe, the spectra of AT 2020kog change significantly with time. They resemble those of type IIn supernovae at early phases, then they become similar to those of K-type stars during the plateau, and to M-type stars at very late phases. In contrast, AT 2020hat already shows a redder continuum at early epochs, and its spectrum shows the late appearance of molecular bands. A moderate-resolution spectrum of AT 2020hat taken at +37 d after maximum shows a forest of narrow P Cygni lines of metals with velocities of 180 km/s, along with an Halpha emission with a full-width at half-maximum velocity of 250 km/s. For AT 2020hat, a robust constraint on its quiescent progenitor is provided by archival images of the Hubble Space Telescope. The progenitor is clearly detected as a mid-K type star, with an absolute magnitude of MF606W = -3.33+-0.09 mag and a colour of F606W-F814W = 1.14+-0.05 mag, which are inconsistent with the expectations from a massive star that could later produce a core-collapse supernova. Although quite peculiar, the two objects nicely match the progenitor versus light curve absolute magnitude correlations discussed in the literature.

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arXiv2020

Luminous Red Nova AT 2019zhd, a new merger in M 31

We present the follow-up campaign of the luminous red nova (LRN) AT~2019zhd, the third event of this class observed in M 31. The object was followed by several sky surveys for about five months before the outburst, during which it showed a slow luminosity rise. In this phase, the absolute magnitude ranged from M_r=-2.8+-0.2 mag to M_r=-5.6+-0.1 mag. Then, over a four-five day period, AT 2019zhd experienced a major brightening, reaching at peak M_r=-9.61+-0.08 mag, and an optical luminosity of 1.4x10^39 erg/s. After a fast decline, the light curve settled onto a short-duration plateau in the red bands. Although less pronounced, this feature is reminiscent of the second red maximum observed in other LRNe. This phase was followed by a rapid linear decline in all bands. At maximum, the spectra show a blue continuum with prominent Balmer emission lines. The post-maximum spectra show a much redder continuum, resembling that of an intermediate-type star. In this phase, Halpha becomes very weak, Hbeta is no longer detectable and a forest of narrow absorption metal lines now dominate the spectrum. The latest spectra, obtained during the post-plateau decline, show a very red continuum (T_eff ~ 3000 K) with broad molecular bands of TiO, similar to those of M-type stars. The long-lasting, slow photometric rise observed before the peak resembles that of LRN V1309 Sco, which was interpreted as the signature of the common-envelope ejection. The subsequent outburst is likely due to the gas outflow following a stellar merging event. The inspection of archival HST images taken 22 years before the LRN discovery reveals a faint red source (M_F555W=0.21+-0.14 mag, with F555W-F814W = 2.96+-0.12 mag) at the position of AT 2019zhd, which is the most likely quiescent precursor. The source is consistent with expectations for a binary system including a predominant M5-type star.

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arXiv2020

Optical studies of two stripped envelope supernovae SN 2015ap (Type Ib) and SN 2016P (Type Ic)

We present the photometric and spectroscopic studies of a Type Ib SN 2015ap and a Type Ic SN 2016P. SN 2015ap is one of the bright (M$_{V}$ = $-$18.04 mag) Type Ib while SN 2016P lies at an average value among the Type Ic SNe (M$_{V}$ = $-$17.53 mag). Bolometric light curve modelling of SNe 2015ap and 2016P indicates that both the SNe are powered by $^{56}$Ni + magnetar model with $^{56}$Ni masses of 0.01 M$_{\odot}$ and 0.002 M$_{\odot}$, ejecta masses of 3.75 M$_{\odot}$ and 4.66 M$_{\odot}$, spin period P$_{0}$ of 25.8 ms and 36.5 ms and magnetic field B$_{p}$ of 28.39 $\times$ 10$^{14}$ Gauss and 35.3 $\times$ 10$^{14}$ Gauss respectively. The early spectra of SN 2015ap shows prominent lines of He with a "W" feature due to Fe complexes while other lines of Mg II, Na I and Si II are present in both SNe 2015ap and 2016P. Nebular phase [O I] profile indicates an asymmetric profile in SN 2015ap. The [O I]/[Ca II] ratio and nebular spectral modelling of SN 2015ap hints towards a progenitor mass between 12 $-$ 20 M$_{\odot}$.

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arXiv2020

Design and operation of the ATLAS Transient Science Server

The Asteroid Terrestrial impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) system consists of two 0.5m Schmidt telescopes with cameras covering 29 square degrees at plate scale of 1.86 arcsec per pixel. Working in tandem, the telescopes routinely survey the whole sky visible from Hawaii (above $δ> -50^{\circ}$) every two nights, exposing four times per night, typically reaching $o < 19$ magnitude per exposure when the moon is illuminated and $c < 19.5$ per exposure in dark skies. Construction is underway of two further units to be sited in Chile and South Africa which will result in an all-sky daily cadence from 2021. Initially designed for detecting potentially hazardous near earth objects, the ATLAS data enable a range of astrophysical time domain science. To extract transients from the data stream requires a computing system to process the data, assimilate detections in time and space and associate them with known astrophysical sources. Here we describe the hardware and software infrastructure to produce a stream of clean, real, astrophysical transients in real time. This involves machine learning and boosted decision tree algorithms to identify extragalactic and Galactic transients. Typically we detect 10-15 supernova candidates per night which we immediately announce publicly. The ATLAS discoveries not only enable rapid follow-up of interesting sources but will provide complete statistical samples within the local volume of 100 Mpc. A simple comparison of the detected supernova rate within 100 Mpc, with no corrections for completeness, is already significantly higher (factor 1.5 to 2) than the current accepted rates.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2018

ASASSN-14dq: A fast-declining type II-P Supernova in a low-luminosity host galaxy

Optical broadband (UBVRI) photometric and low-resolution spectroscopic observations of the type II-P supernova (SN) ASASSN-14dq are presented. ASASSN-14dq exploded in a low-luminosity/metallicity host galaxy UGC 11860, the signatures of which are present as weak iron lines in the photospheric phase spectra. The SN has a plateau duration of $\sim\,$90 d, with a plateau decline rate of 1.38 $\rm mag\ (100 d)^{-1}$ in V-band which is higher than most type II-P SNe. ASASSN-14dq is a luminous type II-P SN with a peak $V$-band absolute magnitude of -17.7$\,\pm\,$0.2 mag. The light curve of ASASSN-14dq indicates it to be a fast-declining type II-P SN, making it a transitional event between the type II-P and II-L SNe. The empirical relation between the steepness parameter and $\rm ^{56}Ni$ mass for type II SNe was rebuilt with the help of well-sampled light curves from the literature. A $\rm ^{56}Ni$ mass of $\sim\,$0.029 M$_{\odot}$ was estimated for ASASSN-14dq, which is slightly lower than the expected $\rm ^{56}Ni$ mass for a luminous type II-P SN. Using analytical light curve modelling, a progenitor radius of $\rm \sim3.6\times10^{13}$ cm, an ejecta mass of $\rm \sim10\ M_{\odot}$ and a total energy of $\rm \sim\,1.8\times 10^{51}$ ergs was estimated for this event. The photospheric velocity evolution of ASASSN-14dq resembles a type II-P SN, but the Balmer features (H$α$ and H$β$) show relatively slow velocity evolution. The high-velocity H$α$ feature in the plateau phase, the asymmetric H$α$ emission line profile in the nebular phase and the inferred outburst parameters indicate an interaction of the SN ejecta with the circumstellar material (CSM).

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arXiv2018

SN 2015as: A low luminosity Type IIb supernova without an early light curve peak

We present results of the photometric (from 3 to 509 days past explosion) and spectroscopic (up to 230 days past explosion) monitoring campaign of the He-rich Type IIb supernova (SN) 2015as. The {\it (B-V)} colour evolution of SN 2015as closely resemble those of SN 2008ax, suggesting that SN 2015as belongs to the SN IIb subgroup that does not show the early, short-duration photometric peak. The light curve of SN 2015as reaches the $B$-band maximum about 22 days after the explosion, at an absolute magnitude of -16.82 $\pm$ 0.18 mag. At $\sim$ 75 days after the explosion, its spectrum transitions from that of a SN II to a SN Ib. P~Cygni features due to He I lines appear at around 30 days after explosion, indicating that the progenitor of SN 2015as was partially stripped. For SN~2015as, we estimate a $^{56}$Ni mass of $\sim$ 0.08 M$_{\odot}$ and ejecta mass of 1.1--2.2 M$_{\odot}$, which are similar to the values inferred for SN 2008ax. The quasi bolometric analytical light curve modelling suggests that the progenitor of SN 2015as has a modest mass ($\sim$ 0.1 M$_{\odot}$), a nearly-compact ($\sim$ 0.05$\times$10$^{13}$ cm) H envelope on top of a dense, compact ($\sim$ 2$\times$10$^{11}$ cm) and a more massive ($\sim$ 1.2 M$_{\odot}$) He core. The analysis of the nebular phase spectra indicates that $\sim$ 0.44 M$_{\odot}$ of O is ejected in the explosion. The intensity ratio of the [Ca II]/[O I] nebular lines favours either a main sequence progenitor mass of $\sim$ 15 M$_{\odot}$ or a Wolf Rayet star of 20 M$_{\odot}$.

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arXiv2018

Broad-line type Ic Supernova SN 2014ad

We present optical and ultraviolet photometry, and low resolution optical spectroscopy of the broad-line type Ic supernova SN 2014ad in the galaxy PGC 37625 (Mrk 1309), covering the evolution of the supernova during $-$5 to +87 d with respect to the date of maximum in $B$-band. A late phase spectrum obtained at +340 d is also presented. With an absolute $V$ band magnitude at peak of $M_{V}$ = $-$18.86 $\pm$ 0.23 mag, SN 2014ad is fainter than Gamma Ray Burst (GRB) associated supernovae, and brighter than most of the normal and broad-line type Ic supernovae without an associated GRB. The spectral evolution indicates the expansion velocity of the ejecta, as measured using the Si\,{\sc ii} line, to be as high as $\sim$ 33500 km\,s$^{-1}$ around maximum, while during the post-maximum phase it settles down at $\sim$ 15000 km\,s$^{-1}$. The expansion velocity of SN 2014ad is higher than all other well observed broad-line type Ic supernovae except the GRB associated SN 2010bh. The explosion parameters, determined by applying the Arnett's analytical light curve model to the observed bolometric light curve, indicate that it was an energetic explosion with a kinetic energy of $\sim$ (1 $\pm$ 0.3)$\times$10$^{52}$ ergs, a total ejected mass of $\sim$ (3.3 $\pm$ 0.8) M$_\odot$, and $\sim$ 0.24 M$_\odot$ of $^{56}$Ni was synthesized in the explosion. The metallicity of the host galaxy near the supernova region is estimated to be $\sim$ 0.5 Z$_\odot$.

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arXiv2017

ASASSN-16fp (SN 2016coi): A transitional supernova between Type Ic and broad-lined Ic

We present results based on a well sampled optical ($UBVRI$) and ultraviolet ({\it Swift}/UVOT) imaging, and low-resolution optical spectroscopic follow-up observations of the nearby Type Ic supernova (SN) ASASSN-16fp (SN 2016coi). The SN was monitored during the photospheric phase ($-10$ to $+$33 days with respect to the $B$-band maximum light). The rise to maximum light and early post-maximum decline of the light curves are slow. The peak absolute magnitude ($M_{V}$ = $-17.7\pm0.2$ mag) of ASASSN-16fp is comparable with broad-lined Ic SN 2002ap, SN 2012ap and transitional Ic SN 2004aw but considerably fainter than the GRB/XRF associated supernovae (e.g. SN 1998bw, 2006aj). Similar to the light curve, the spectral evolution is also slow. ASASSN-16fp shows distinct photospheric phase spectral lines along with the C\,{\sc ii} features. The expansion velocity of the ejecta near maximum light reached $\sim$16000 km s$^{-1}$ and settled to $\sim$8000 km s$^{-1}$, $\sim$1 month post-maximum. Analytical modelling of the quasi-bolometric light curve of ASASSN-16fp suggests that $\sim$0.1 M$_{\odot}$ $^{56}$Ni mass was synthesized in the explosion, with a kinetic energy of 6.9$^{+1.5}_{-1.3}$ $\times$ 10$^{51}$ erg and total ejected mass of $\sim$4.5\,$\pm$\,0.3 M$_{\odot}$.

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arXiv2015

Strong near-infrared carbon in the Type Ia supernova iPTF13ebh

We present near-infrared (NIR) time-series spectroscopy, as well as complementary ultraviolet (UV), optical, and NIR data, of the Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) iPTF13ebh, which was discovered within two days from the estimated time of explosion. The first NIR spectrum was taken merely 2.3 days after explosion and may be the earliest NIR spectrum yet obtained of a SN Ia. The most striking features in the spectrum are several NIR C I lines, and the C I λ1.0693 μm line is the strongest ever observed in a SN Ia. Interestingly, no strong optical C II counterparts were found, even though the optical spectroscopic time series began early and is densely-cadenced. Except at the very early epochs, within a few days from the time of explosion, we show that the strong NIR C I compared to the weaker optical C II appears to be general in SNe Ia. iPTF13ebh is a fast decliner with Δm15(B) = 1.79 $\pm$ 0.01, and its absolute magnitude obeys the linear part of the width-luminosity relation. It is therefore categorized as a "transitional" event, on the fast-declining end of normal SNe Ia as opposed to subluminous/91bg-like objects. iPTF13ebh shows NIR spectroscopic properties that are distinct from both the normal and subluminous/91bg-like classes, bridging the observed characteristics of the two classes. These NIR observations suggest composition and density of the inner core similar to that of 91bg-like events, and a deep reaching carbon burning layer not observed in slower declining SNe Ia. There is also a substantial difference between the explosion times inferred from the early-time light curve and the velocity evolution of the Si II λ0.6355 μm line, implying a long dark phase of ~ 4 days.

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arXiv2014

Supernova SN 2012dn: A spectroscopic clone of SN 2006gz

We present optical and UV analysis of the luminous type Ia supernova SN 2012dn covering the period $\sim -$11 to +109 days with respect to the $B$ band maximum, that occurred on JD 2456132.89 $\pm$ 0.19, with an apparent magnitude of $m_{B}^\text{max}$ = 14.38 $\pm$ 0.02. The absolute magnitudes at maximum in $B$ and $V$ bands are $M_{B}^\text{max} = -19.52 \pm 0.15$ and $M_{V}^\text{max} = -19.42 \pm 0.15$, respectively. SN 2012dn is marginally luminous compared to normal type Ia supernovae. The peak bolometric luminosity of $\log L_\text{bol}^\text{max} = 43.27 \pm 0.06$ erg s$^{-1}$ suggests that $0.82 \pm 0.12$ M$_\odot$ of $^{56}$Ni was synthesized in the explosion. The decline rate $Δm_{15}(B)_\text{true}= 0.92 \pm 0.04$ mag is lower than that of normal type Ia supernovae, and similar to the luminous SN 1991T. However, the photometric and spectroscopic behaviour of SN 2012dn is different from that of SN 1991T. Early phase light curves in $R$ and $I$ bands are very broad. The $I$ band peak has a plateau-like appearance similar to the super-Chandra SN 2009dc. Pre-maximum spectra show clear evidence of C\,{\sc ii} 6580 Å\, line, indicating the presence of unburned materials. The velocity evolution of C\,{\ sc ii} line is peculiar. Except for the very early phase ($\sim-$13 d), the C\,{\sc ii} line velocity is lower than the velocity estimated using the Si\,{\sc ii} line. During the pre-maximum and close to maximum phase, to reproduce observed shape of the spectra, the synthetic spectrum code {\sc syn++} needs significantly higher blackbody temperature than those required for normal type Ia events. The photospheric velocity evolution and other spectral properties are similar to those of the carbon-rich SN 2006gz.

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