arXiv subjects

S. Taubenberger

Publications and source records attributed to S. Taubenberger.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Sub-Chandrasekhar progenitors favoured for type Ia supernovae: Evidence from late-time spectroscopy

A non-local-thermodynamic-equilibrium (NLTE) level population model of the first and second ionisation stages of iron, nickel and cobalt is used to fit a sample of XShooter optical + near-infrared (NIR) spectra of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). From the ratio of the NIR lines to the optical lines limits can be placed on the temperature and density of the emission region. We find a similar evolution of these parameters across our sample. Using the evolution of the Fe II 12$\,$570$\,\mathring{A}\,$to 7$\,$155$\,\mathring{A}\,$line as a prior in fits of spectra covering only the optical wavelengths we show that the 7200$\,\mathring{A}\,$feature is fully explained by [Fe II] and [Ni II] alone. This approach allows us to determine the abundance of Ni II$\,$/$\,$Fe II for a large sample of 130 optical spectra of 58 SNe Ia with uncertainties small enough to distinguish between Chandrasekhar mass (M$_{\text{Ch}}$) and sub-Chandrasekhar mass (sub-M$_{\text{Ch}}$) explosion models. We conclude that the majority (85$\%$) of normal SNe Ia have a Ni/Fe abundance that is in agreement with predictions of sub-M$_{\text{Ch}}$ explosion simulations of $\sim Z_\odot$ progenitors. Only a small fraction (11$\%$) of objects in the sample have a Ni/Fe abundance in agreement with M$_{\text{Ch}}$ explosion models.

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arXiv2019

Luminous Red Novae: Stellar Mergers or Giant Eruptions?

We present extensive datasets for a class of intermediate-luminosity optical transients known as "luminous red novae" (LRNe). They show double-peaked light curves, with an initial rapid luminosity rise to a blue peak (at -13 to -15 mag), which is followed by a longer-duration red peak that sometimes is attenuated, resembling a plateau. The progenitors of three of them (NGC4490-2011OT1, M101-2015OT1, and SNhunt248), likely relatively massive blue to yellow stars, were also observed in a pre-eruptive stage when their luminosity was slowly increasing. Early spectra obtained during the first peak show a blue continuum with superposed prominent narrow Balmer lines, with P Cygni profiles. Lines of Fe II are also clearly observed, mostly in emission. During the second peak, the spectral continuum becomes much redder, Halpha is barely detected, and a forest of narrow metal lines is observed in absorption. Very late-time spectra (~6 months after blue peak) show an extremely red spectral continuum, peaking in the infrared (IR) domain. Halpha is detected in pure emission at such late phases, along with broad absorption bands due to molecular overtones (such as TiO, VO). We discuss a few alternative scenarios for LRNe. Although major instabilities of single massive stars cannot be definitely ruled out, we favour a common envelope ejection in a close binary system, with possibly a final coalescence of the two stars. The similarity between LRNe and the outburst observed a few months before the explosion of the Type IIn SN 2011ht is also discussed.

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arXiv2019

SN 2012dn from early to late times: 09dc-like supernovae reassessed

As a candidate 'super-Chandrasekhar' or 09dc-like Type Ia supernova (SN Ia), SN 2012dn shares many characteristics with other members of this remarkable class of objects but lacks their extraordinary luminosity. Here, we present and discuss the most comprehensive optical data set of this SN to date, comprised of a densely sampled series of early-time spectra obtained within the Nearby Supernova Factory project, plus photometry and spectroscopy obtained at the VLT about 1 yr after the explosion. The light curves, colour curves, spectral time series and ejecta velocities of SN 2012dn are compared with those of other 09dc-like and normal SNe Ia, the overall variety within the class of 09dc-like SNe Ia is discussed, and new criteria for 09dc-likeness are proposed. Particular attention is directed to additional insight that the late-phase data provide. The nebular spectra show forbidden lines of oxygen and calcium, elements that are usually not seen in late-time spectra of SNe Ia, while the ionisation state of the emitting iron plasma is low, pointing to low ejecta temperatures and high densities. The optical light curves are characterised by an enhanced fading starting ~60 d after maximum and very low luminosities in the nebular phase, which is most readily explained by unusually early formation of clumpy dust in the ejecta. Taken together, these effects suggest a strongly perturbed ejecta density profile, which might lend support to the idea that 09dc-like characteristics arise from a brief episode of interaction with a hydrogen-deficient envelope during the first hours or days after the explosion.

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arXiv2019

The Hubble Constant determined through an inverse distance ladder including quasar time delays and Type Ia supernovae

Context. The precise determination of the present-day expansion rate of the Universe, expressed through the Hubble constant $H_0$, is one of the most pressing challenges in modern cosmology. Assuming flat $Λ$CDM, $H_0$ inference at high redshift using cosmic-microwave-background data from Planck disagrees at the 4.4$σ$ level with measurements based on the local distance ladder made up of parallaxes, Cepheids and Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), often referred to as "Hubble tension". Independent, cosmological-model-insensitive ways to infer $H_0$ are of critical importance. Aims. We apply an inverse-distance-ladder approach, combining strong-lensing time-delay-distance measurements with SN Ia data. By themselves, SNe Ia are merely good relative distance indicators, but by anchoring them to strong gravitational lenses one can obtain an $H_0$ measurement that is relatively insensitive to other cosmological parameters. Methods. A cosmological parameter estimate is performed for different cosmological background models, both for strong-lensing data alone and for the combined lensing + SNe Ia data sets. Results. The cosmological-model dependence of strong-lensing $H_0$ measurements is significantly mitigated through the inverse distance ladder. In combination with SN Ia data, the inferred $H_0$ consistently lies around 73-74 km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$, regardless of the assumed cosmological background model. Our results agree nicely with those from the local distance ladder, but there is a >2$σ$ tension with Planck results, and a ~1.5$σ$ discrepancy with results from an inverse distance ladder including Planck, Baryon Acoustic Oscillations and SNe Ia. Future strong-lensing distance measurements will reduce the uncertainties in $H_0$ from our inverse distance ladder.

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arXiv2019

The aspherical explosion of the Type IIP SN 2017gmr

Type IIP supernovae (SNe IIP), which represent the most common class of core-collapse (CC) SNe, show a rapid increase in continuum polarization just after entering the tail phase. This feature can be explained by a highly asymmetric helium core, which is exposed when the hydrogen envelope becomes transparent. Here we report the case of a SN IIP (SN~2017gmr) that shows an unusually early rise of the polarization, $\gtrsim 30$ days before the start of the tail phase. This implies that SN~2017gmr is an SN IIP that has very extended asphericity. The asymmetries are not confined to the helium core, but reach out to a significant part of the outer hydrogen envelope, hence clearly indicating a marked intrinsic diversity in the aspherical structure of CC explosions. These observations provide new constraints on the explosion mechanism, where viable models must be able to produce such extended deviations from spherical symmetry, and account for the observed geometrical diversity.

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arXiv2018

SN 2017ens: The Metamorphosis of a Luminous Broad-lined Type Ic Supernova into an SN IIn

We present observations of supernova (SN) 2017ens, discovered by the ATLAS survey and identified as a hot blue object through the GREAT program. The redshift z=0.1086 implies a peak brightness of M_g=-21.1 mag, placing the object within the regime of superluminous supernovae. We observe a dramatic spectral evolution, from initially being blue and featureless, to later developing features similar to those of the broadlined Type Ic SN 1998bw, and finally showing ~2000 km s^-1 wide H-alpha and H-beta emission. Relatively narrow Balmer emission (reminiscent of a SN IIn) is present at all times. We also detect coronal lines, indicative of a dense circumstellar medium. We constrain the progenitor wind velocity to ~50-60 km s^-1 based on P-Cygni profiles, which is far slower than those present in Wolf-Rayet stars. This may suggest that the progenitor passed through a luminous blue variable phase, or that the wind is instead from a binary companion red supergiant star. At late times we see the ~2000 km s^-1 wide H-alpha emission persisting at high luminosity (~3x10^40 erg s^-1) for at least 100 day, perhaps indicative of additional mass loss at high velocities that could have been ejected by a pulsational pair instability.

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arXiv2018

Limits on stable iron in Type$\,$Ia supernovae from NIR spectroscopy

We obtained optical and near-infrared spectra of Type$\,$Ia supernovae (SNe$\,$Ia) at epochs ranging from 224 to 496 days after the explosion. The spectra show emission lines from forbidden transitions of singly ionised iron and cobalt atoms. We used non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) modelling of the first and second ionisation stages of iron, nickel, and cobalt to fit the spectra using a sampling algorithm allowing us to probe a broad parameter space. We derive velocity shifts, line widths, and abundance ratios for iron and cobalt. The measured line widths and velocity shifts of the singly ionised ions suggest a shared emitting region. Our data are fully compatible with radioactive $^{56}$Ni decay as the origin for cobalt and iron. We compare the measured abundance ratios of iron and cobalt to theoretical predictions of various SN$\,$Ia explosion models. These models include, in addition to $^{56}$Ni, different amounts of $^{57}$Ni and stable $^{54,56}$Fe. We can exclude models that produced only $^{54,56}$Fe or only $^{57}$Ni in addition to $^{56}$Ni. If we consider a model that has $^{56}$Ni, $^{57}$Ni, and $^{54,56}$Fe then our data imply that these ratios are $^{54,56}$Fe / $^{56}$Ni $=0.272\pm0.086$ and $^{57}$Ni / $^{56}$Ni $=0.032\pm0.011$.

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arXiv2018

SNEMO: Improved Empirical Models for Type Ia Supernovae

Type Ia supernova cosmology depends on the ability to fit and standardize observations of supernova magnitudes with an empirical model. We present here a series of new models of Type Ia Supernova spectral time series that capture a greater amount of supernova diversity than possible with the models that are currently customary. These are entitled SuperNova Empirical MOdels (\textsc{SNEMO}\footnote{https://snfactory.lbl.gov/snemo}). The models are constructed using spectrophotometric time series from $172$ individual supernovae from the Nearby Supernova Factory, comprising more than $2000$ spectra. Using the available observations, Gaussian Processes are used to predict a full spectral time series for each supernova. A matrix is constructed from the spectral time series of all the supernovae, and Expectation Maximization Factor Analysis is used to calculate the principal components of the data. K-fold cross-validation then determines the selection of model parameters and accounts for color variation in the data. Based on this process, the final models are trained on supernovae that have been dereddened using the Fitzpatrick and Massa extinction relation. Three final models are presented here: \textsc{SNEMO2}, a two-component model for comparison with current Type~Ia models; \textsc{SNEMO7}, a seven component model chosen for standardizing supernova magnitudes which results in a total dispersion of $0.100$~mag for a validation set of supernovae, of which $0.087$~mag is unexplained (a total dispersion of $0.113$~mag with unexplained dispersion of $0.097$~mag is found for the total set of training and validation supernovae); and \textsc{SNEMO15}, a comprehensive $15$ component model that maximizes the amount of spectral time series behavior captured.

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arXiv2018

SN 2014J in M82: New Insights On the Spectral Diversity of Type Ia Supernovae

We present extensive spectroscopic observations for one of the closest type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), SN 2014J discovered in M82, ranging from 10.4 days before to 473.2 days after B-band maximum light. The diffuse interstellar band (DIB) features detected in a high-resolution spectrum allow an estimate of line-of-sight extinction as Av=1.9+/-0.6 mag. Spectroscopically, SN 2014J can be put into the high-velocity (HV) subgroup in Wang's classification with a velocity of Si~II 6355 at maximum light as about 12200 km/s, but has a low velocity gradient (LVG, following Benetti's classification) as 41+/-2 km/s/day, which is inconsistent with the trend that HV SNe Ia generally have larger velocity gradients. We find that the HV SNe Ia with LVGs tend to have relatively stronger Si III (at ~4400 Angstrom) absorptions in early spectra, larger ratios of S II 5468 to S II 5640, and weaker Si II 5972 absorptions compared to their counterparts with similar velocities but high velocity gradients. This shows that the HV+LVG subgroup of SNe Ia may have intrinsically higher photospheric temperature, which indicates that their progenitors may experience more complete burning in the explosions relative to the typical HV SNe Ia.

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arXiv2018

Nebular spectroscopy of SN 2014J: Detection of stable nickel in near infrared spectra

We present near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy of the nearby supernova 2014J obtained $\sim$450 d after explosion. We detect the [Ni II] 1.939 $μ$m line in the spectra indicating the presence of stable $^{58}$Ni in the ejecta. The stable nickel is not centrally concentrated but rather distributed as the iron. The spectra are dominated by forbidden [Fe II] and [Co II] lines. We use lines, in the NIR spectra, arising from the same upper energy levels to place constraints on the extinction from host galaxy dust. We find that that our data are in agreement with the high $A_V$ and low $R_V$ found in earlier studies from data near maximum light. Using a $^{56}$Ni mass prior from near maximum light $γ$-ray observations, we find $\sim$0.05 M$_\odot$ of stable nickel to be present in the ejecta. We find that the iron group features are redshifted from the host galaxy rest frame by $\sim$600 km s$^{-1}$.

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arXiv2018

Correcting for peculiar velocities of Type Ia Supernovae in clusters of galaxies

Type Ia Supernovae (SNe Ia) are widely used to measure the expansion of the Universe. To perform such measurements the luminosity and cosmological redshift ($z$) of the SNe Ia have to be determined. The uncertainty on $z$ includes an unknown peculiar velocity, which can be very large for SNe Ia in the virialized cores of massive clusters. We determine which SNe Ia exploded in galaxy clusters. We then study how the correction for peculiar velocities of host galaxies inside the clusters improves the Hubble residuals. Using 145 SNe Ia from the Nearby Supernova Factory we found 11 candidates for membership in clusters. To estimate the redshift of a cluster we applied the bi-weight technique. Then, we use the galaxy cluster redshift instead of the host galaxy redshift to construct the Hubble diagram. For SNe Ia inside galaxy clusters the dispersion around the Hubble diagram when peculiar velocities are taken into account is smaller in comparison with a case without peculiar velocity correction, with a $wRMS=0.130\pm0.038$ mag instead of $wRMS=0.137\pm0.036$ mag. The significance of this improvement is 3.58 $σ$. If we remove the very nearby Virgo cluster member SN2006X ($z<0.01$) from the analysis, the significance decreases to 1.34 $σ$. The peculiar velocity correction is found to be highest for the SNe Ia hosted by blue spiral galaxies, with high local specific star formation rate and smaller stellar mass, seemingly counter to what might be expected given the heavy concentration of old, massive elliptical galaxies in clusters. As expected, the Hubble residuals of SNe Ia associated with massive galaxy clusters improve when the cluster redshift is taken as the cosmological redshift of the SN. This fact has to be taken into account in future cosmological analyses in order to achieve higher accuracy for cosmological redshift measurements. Here we provide an approach to do so.

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arXiv2018

ASASSN-15no: The Supernova that plays hide-and-seek

We report the results of our follow-up campaign of the peculiar supernova ASASSN-15no, based on optical data covering ~300 days of its evolution. Initially the spectra show a pure blackbody continuum. After few days, the HeI 5876 A transition appears with a P-Cygni profile and an expansion velocity of about 8700 km/s. Fifty days after maximum, the spectrum shows signs typically seen in interacting supernovae. A broad (FWHM~8000 km/s) Halpha becomes more prominent with time until ~150 days after maximum and quickly declines later on. At these phases Halpha starts to show an intermediate component, which together with the blue pseudo-continuum are clues that the ejecta begin to interact with the CSM. The spectra at the latest phases look very similar to the nebular spectra of stripped-envelope SNe. The early part (the first 40 days after maximum) of the bolometric curve, which peaks at a luminosity intermediate between normal and superluminous supernovae, is well reproduced by a model in which the energy budget is essentially coming from ejecta recombination and 56Ni decay. From the model we infer a mass of the ejecta Mej = 2.6 Msun; an initial radius of the photosphere R0 = 2.1 x 10^14 cm; and an explosion energy Eexpl = 0.8 x 10^51 erg. A possible scenario involves a massive and extended H-poor shell lost by the progenitor star a few years before explosion. The shell is hit, heated and accelerated by the supernova ejecta. The accelerated shell+ejecta rapidly dilutes, unveiling the unperturbed supernova spectrum below. The outer ejecta start to interact with a H-poor external CSM lost by the progenitor system about 9 -- 90 years before the explosion.

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arXiv2018

Understanding Type Ia supernovae through their U-band spectra

Context. Observations of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) can be used to derive accurate cosmological distances through empirical standardization techniques. Despite this success neither the progenitors of SNe Ia nor the explosion process are fully understood. The U-band region has been less well observed for nearby SNe, due to technical challenges, but is the most readily accessible band for high-redshift SNe. Aims. Using spectrophotometry from the Nearby Supernova Factory, we study the origin and extent of U-band spectroscopic variations in SNe Ia and explore consequences for their standardization and the potential for providing new insights into the explosion process. Methods. We divide the U-band spectrum into four wavelength regions λ(uNi), λ(uTi), λ(uSi) and λ(uCa). Two of these span the Ca H&K λλ 3934, 3969 complex. We employ spectral synthesis using SYNAPPS to associate the two bluer regions with Ni/Co and Ti. Results. (1) The flux of the uTi feature is an extremely sensitive temperature/luminosity indicator, standardizing the SN peak luminosity to 0.116 $\pm$ 0.011 mag RMS. A traditional SALT2.4 fit on the same sample yields a 0.135 mag RMS. Standardization using uTi also reduces the difference in corrected magnitude between SNe originating from different host galaxy environments. (2) Early U-band spectra can be used to probe the Ni+Co distribution in the ejecta, thus offering a rare window into the source of lightcurve power. (3) The uCa flux further improves standardization, yielding a 0.086 $\pm$ 0.010 mag RMS without the need to include an additional intrinsic dispersion to reach χ$^2$/dof $\sim$ 1. This reduction in RMS is partially driven by an improved standardization of Shallow Silicon and 91T-like SNe.

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arXiv2017

An updated Type II supernova Hubble diagram

We present photometry and spectroscopy of nine Type II-P/L supernovae (SNe) with redshifts in the 0.045 < z < 0.335 range, with a view to re-examining their utility as distance indicators. Specifically, we apply the expanding photosphere method (EPM) and the standardized candle method (SCM) to each target, and find that both methods yield distances that are in reasonable agreement with each other. The current record-holder for the highest-redshift spectroscopically confirmed SN II-P is PS1-13bni (z = 0.335 +0.009 -0.012), and illustrates the promise of Type II SNe as cosmological tools. We updated existing EPM and SCM Hubble diagrams by adding our sample to those previously published. Within the context of Type II SN distance measuring techniques, we investigated two related questions. First, we explored the possibility of utilising spectral lines other than the traditionally used Fe II 5169 to infer the photospheric velocity of SN ejecta. Using local well-observed objects, we derive an epoch-dependent relation between the strong Balmer line and Fe II 5169 velocities that is applicable 30 to 40 days post-explosion. Motivated in part by the continuum of key observables such as rise time and decline rates exhibited from II-P to II-L SNe, we assessed the possibility of using Hubble-flow Type II-L SNe as distance indicators. These yield similar distances as the Type II-P SNe. Although these initial results are encouraging, a significantly larger sample of SNe II-L would be required to draw definitive conclusions.

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arXiv2017

Large Interstellar Polarisation Survey. LIPS I: FORS2 spectropolarimetry in the Southern Hemisphere

Polarimetric studies of light transmitted through interstellar clouds may give constraints on the properties of the interstellar dust grains. Traditionally, broadband linear polarisation (BBLP) measurements have been considered an important diagnostic tool for the study of the interstellar dust, while comparatively less attention has been paid to spectropolarimetric measurements. However, spectropolarimetry may offer stronger constraints than BBLP, for example by revealing narrowband features, and by allowing us to distinguish the contribution of dust from the contribution of interstellar gas. Therefore, we have decided to carry out a Large Interstellar Polarisation Survey (LIPS) using spectropolarimetric facilities in both hemispheres. Here we present the results obtained in the Southern Hemisphere with the FORS2 instrument of the ESO Very Large Telescope. Our spectra cover the wavelength range 380--950\,nm at a spectral resolving power of about 880. We have produced a publicly available catalogue of 127 linear polarisation spectra of 101 targets. We also provide the Serkowski-curve parameters, as well as the wavelength gradient of the polarisation position angle for the interstellar polarisation along 76 different lines of sight. In agreement with previous literature, we found that the best-fit parameters of the Serkowski-curve are not independent of each other. However, the relationships that we obtained are not always consistent with what was found in previous studies.

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arXiv2017

Early light curves for Type Ia supernova explosion models

Upcoming high-cadence transient survey programmes will produce a wealth of observational data for Type Ia supernovae. These data sets will contain numerous events detected very early in their evolution, shortly after explosion. Here, we present synthetic light curves, calculated with the radiation hydrodynamical approach Stella for a number of different explosion models, specifically focusing on these first few days after explosion. We show that overall the early light curve evolution is similar for most of the investigated models. Characteristic imprints are induced by radioactive material located close to the surface. However, these are very similar to the signatures expected from ejecta-CSM or ejecta-companion interaction. Apart from the pure deflagration explosion models, none of our synthetic light curves exhibit the commonly assumed power-law rise. We demonstrate that this can lead to substantial errors in the determination of the time of explosion. In summary, we illustrate with our calculations that even with very early data an identification of specific explosion scenarios is challenging, if only photometric observations are available.

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arXiv2017

Extremely late photometry of SN~2011fe

Type Ia supernovae are widely accepted to be the outcomes of thermonuclear explosions in white dwarf stars. However, many details of these explosions remain uncertain (e.g. the mass, ignition mechanism, and flame speed). Theory predicts that at very late times (beyond 1000 d) it might be possible to distinguish between explosion models. Few very nearby supernovae can be observed that long after the explosion. The Type Ia supernova SN 2011fe located in M101 and along a line of sight with negligible extinction, provides us with the once-in-a-lifetime chance to obtain measurements that may distinguish between theoretical models. In this work, we present the analysis of photometric data of SN 2011fe taken between 900 and 1600 days after explosion with Gemini and HST. At these extremely late epochs theory suggests that the light curve shape might be used to measure isotopic abundances which is a useful model discriminant. However, we show in this work that there are several currently not well constrained physical processes introducing large systematic uncertainties to the isotopic abundance measurement. We conclude that without further detailed knowledge of the physical processes at this late stage one cannot reliably exclude any models on the basis of this dataset.

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arXiv2017

SCALA: In-situ calibration for Integral Field Spectrographs

The scientific yield of current and future optical surveys is increasingly limited by systematic uncertainties in the flux calibration. This is the case for Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) cosmology programs, where an improved calibration directly translates into improved cosmological constraints. Current methodology rests on models of stars. Here we aim to obtain flux calibration that is traceable to state-of-the-art detector-based calibration. We present the SNIFS Calibration Apparatus (SCALA), a color (relative) flux calibration system developed for the SuperNova Integral Field Spectrograph (SNIFS), operating at the University of Hawaii 2.2 m (UH 88) telescope. By comparing the color trend of the illumination generated by SCALA during two commissioning runs, and to previous laboratory measurements, we show that we can determine the light emitted by SCALA with a long-term repeatability better than 1%. We describe the calibration procedure necessary to control for system aging. We present measurements of the SNIFS throughput as estimated by SCALA observations. The SCALA calibration unit is now fully deployed at the UH\,88 telescope, and with it color-calibration between 4000 Å and 9000 Å is stable at the percent level over a one-year baseline.

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