arXiv subjects

Stefan Immler

Publications and source records attributed to Stefan Immler.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2017

Swift Ultraviolet Survey of the Magellanic Clouds (SUMaC). I. Shape of the Ultraviolet Dust Extinction Law and Recent Star Formation History of the Small Magellanic Cloud

We present the first results from the Swift Ultraviolet Survey of the Magellanic Clouds (SUMaC), the highest resolution ultraviolet (UV) survey of the Magellanic Clouds yet completed. In this paper, we focus on the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). When combined with multi-wavelength optical and infrared observations, the three near-UV filters on the Swift Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope are conducive to measuring the shape of the dust extinction curve and the strength of the 2175Å dust bump. We divide the SMC into UV-detected star-forming regions and large 200" (58~pc) pixels and then model the spectral energy distributions using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo method to constrain the ages, masses, and dust curve properties. We find that the majority of the SMC has a 2175Å dust bump, which is larger to the northeast and smaller to the southwest, and that the extinction curve is universally steeper than the Galactic curve. We also derive a star formation history and find evidence for peaks in the star formation rate at 6-10 Myr, 30-80 Myr, and 400 Myr, the latter two of which are consistent with previous work.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Two Distinct-Absorption X-Ray Components from Type IIn Supernovae: Evidence for Asphericity in the Circumstellar Medium

We present multi-epoch X-ray spectral observations of three Type IIn supernovae (SNe) 2005kd, 2006jd, and 2010jl, acquired with Chandra, XMM-Newton, Suzaku, and Swift. Previous extensive X-ray studies of SN 2010jl have revealed that X-ray spectra are dominated by thermal emission, which likely arises from a hot plasma heated by a forward shock propagating into a massive circumstellar medium (CSM). Interestingly, an additional soft X-ray component was required to reproduce the spectra at a period of ~1-2 yr after the SN explosion. Although this component is likely associated with the SN, its origin remained an open question. We find a similar, additional soft X-ray component from the other two SNe IIn as well. Given this finding, we present a new interpretation for the origin of this component; it is thermal emission from a forward shock essentially identical to the hard X-ray component, but directly reaches us from a void of the dense CSM. Namely, the hard and soft components are responsible for the heavily- and moderately-absorbed components, respectively. The co-existence of the two components with distinct absorptions as well as the delayed emergence of the moderately-absorbed X-ray component would be evidence for asphericity of the CSM. We show that the X-ray spectral evolution can be qualitatively explained by considering a torus-like geometry for the dense CSM. Based on our X-ray spectral analyses, we estimate the radius of the torus-like CSM to be on the order of ~5 times 10^{16} cm.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2015

UVOT Measurements of Dust and Star Formation in the SMC and M33

When measuring star formation rates using ultraviolet light, correcting for dust extinction is a critical step. However, with the variety of dust extinction curves to choose from, the extinction correction is quite uncertain. Here, we use Swift/UVOT to measure the extinction curve for star-forming regions in the SMC and M33. We find that both the slope of the curve and the strength of the 2175 Angstrom bump vary across both galaxies. In addition, as part of our modeling, we derive a detailed recent star formation history for each galaxy.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2013

SN 2005ip: A Luminous Type IIn Supernova Emerging from a Dense Circumstellar Medium as Revealed by X-Ray Observations

We report on X-ray spectral evolution of the nearby Type IIn supernova (SN) 2005ip, based on Chandra and Swift observations covering from ~1 to 6 years after the explosion. X-ray spectra in all epochs are well fitted by a thermal emission model with kT > 7 keV. The somewhat high temperature suggests that the X-ray emission mainly arises from the circumstellar medium heated by the forward shock. We find that the spectra taken 2-3 years since the explosion are heavily absorbed N_H ~ 5e22 cm^{-2}, but the absorption gradually decreases to the level of the Galactic absorption N_H ~ 4e20 cm^{-2} at the final epoch. This indicates that the SN went off in a dense circumstellar medium and that the forward shock has overtaken it. The intrinsic X-ray luminosity stays constant until the final epoch when it drops by a factor of ~2. The intrinsic 0.2-10 keV luminosity during the plateau phase is measured to be ~1.5e41 erg/s, ranking SN 2005ip as one of the brightest X-ray SNe. Based on the column density, we derive a lower-limit of a mass-loss rate to be M_dot ~ 0.015 (V_w/100 km/s) M_sun/yr, which roughly agrees with that inferred from the X-ray luminosity, M_dot ~ 0.02 (V_w/100 km/s) M_sun/yr, where V_w is the circumstellar wind speed. Such a high mass-loss rate suggests that the progenitor star had eruptive mass ejections like a luminous blue variable star. The total mass ejected in the eruptive period is estimated to be ~15 M_sun, indicating that the progenitor mass is greater than ~25 M_sun.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2012

An Early & Comprehensive Millimeter and Centimeter Wave and X-ray Study of Supernova 2011dh: A Non-Equipartition Blastwave Expanding into A Massive Stellar Wind

Only a handful of supernovae (SNe) have been studied in multi-wavelength from radio to X-rays, starting a few days after explosion. The early detection and classification of the nearby type IIb SN2011dh/PTF11eon in M51 provides a unique opportunity to conduct such observations. We present detailed data obtained at the youngest phase ever of a core-collapse supernova (days 3 to 12 after explosion) in the radio, millimeter and X-rays; when combined with optical data, this allows us to explore the early evolution of the SN blast wave and its surroundings. Our analysis shows that the expanding supernova shockwave does not exhibit equipartition (e_e/e_B ~ 1000), and is expanding into circumstellar material that is consistent with a density profile falling like R^-2. Within modeling uncertainties we find an average velocity of the fast parts of the ejecta of 15,000 +/- 1800 km/s, contrary to previous analysis. This velocity places SN 2011dh in an intermediate blast-wave regime between the previously defined compact and extended SN IIb subtypes. Our results highlight the importance of early (~ 1 day) high-frequency observations of future events. Moreover, we show the importance of combined radio/X-ray observations for determining the microphysics ratio e_e/e_B.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

XMM-Newton and Swift observations of the Type IIb SN 2011dh in Messier 51

The Type IIb SN 2011dh exploded in the nearby galaxy M51 (the Whirlpool Galaxy) and provides us with one of the best laboratory to study early high energy emission from SNe. We give here a comprehensive view of the X-ray properties of SN 2011dh from the analyses of two pointed XMM-Newton early observations as well as of the full Swift X-ray Telescope (XRT) dataset (163 ks). Due to the high XMM-Newton throughput, we were able to satisfactorily fit the X-ray spectrum with two hot diffuse gas components including an additional absorption component to our Galaxy. A power law model provided a worse description of the data. In addition, the early Swift XRT light curve hints of a flux excess at early times (< 3 d), consistent with the adiabatic cooling of stellar's photosphere a few days after the shock breakout.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2012

Radio and X-ray observations of SN 2006jd: Another strongly interacting Type IIn supernova

We report four years of radio and X-ray monitoring of the Type IIn supernova SN 2006jd at radio wavelengths with the Very Large Array, Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope and Expanded Very Large Array; at X-ray wavelengths with {\em Chandra}, {\em XMM-Newton} and {\em Swift}-XRT. We assume that the radio and X-ray emitting particles are produced by shock interaction with a dense circumstellar medium. The radio emission shows an initial rise that can be attributed to free-free absorption by cool gas mixed into the nonthermal emitting region; external free-free absorption is disfavored because of the shape of the rising light curves and the low gas column density inferred along the line of sight to the emission region. The X-ray luminosity implies a preshock circumstellar density $\sim 10^6$ cm$^{-3}$ at a radius $r\sim 2\times 10^{16}$ cm, but the column density inferred from the photoabsorption of X-rays along the line of sight suggests a significantly lower density. The implication may be an asymmetry in the interaction. The X-ray spectrum shows Fe line emission at 6.9 keV that is stronger than is expected for the conditions in the X-ray emitting gas. We suggest that cool gas mixed into the hot gas plays a role in the line emission. Our radio and X-ray data both suggest the density profile is flatter than $r^{-2}$ because of the slow evolution of the unabsorbed emission.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2012

Swift X-Ray Upper Limits on Type Ia Supernova Environments

We have considered 53 Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) observed by the Swift X-Ray Telescope (XRT). None of the SNe Ia are individually detected at any time or in stacked images. Using these data and assuming that the SNe Ia are a homogeneous class of objects, we have calculated upper limits to the X- ray luminosity (0.2 - 10 keV) and mass-loss rate of L0.2-10 < 1.7\times1038 erg s-1 and M \cdot < 1.1\times10-6 M\odot yr-1 \times(vw)/(10 km s-1), respectively. The results exclude massive or evolved stars as the companion objects in SNe Ia progenitor systems, but allow the possibility of main sequence or small stars, along with double degenerate systems consisting of two white dwarfs, consistent with results obtained at other wavelengths (e.g., UV, radio) in other studies.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2012

A Swift Look at SN 2011fe: The Earliest Ultraviolet Observations of a Type Ia Supernova

We present the earliest ultraviolet (UV) observations of the bright Type Ia supernova SN 2011fe/PTF11kly in the nearby galaxy M101 at a distance of only 6.4 Mpc. It was discovered shortly after explosion by the Palomar Transient Factory and first observed by Swift/UVOT about a day after explosion. The early UV light is well-defined, with ~20 data points per filter in the five days after explosion. These early and well-sampled UV observations form new template light curves for comparison with observations of other SNe Ia at low and high redshift. We report fits from semi-empirical models of the explosion and find the time evolution of the early UV flux to be well fit by the superposition of two parabolic curves. Finally, we use the early UV flux measurements to examine a possible shock interaction with a non-degenerate companion. From models predicting the measurable shock emission, we find that even a solar mass companion at a distance of a few solar radii is unlikely at more than 95% confidence.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

Sn 2008in - bridging the gap between normal and faint supernovae of type IIP

We present optical photometric and low-resolution spectroscopic observations of the Type II plateau supernova (SN) 2008in, which occurred in the outskirts of the nearly face-on spiral galaxy M 61. Photometric data in the X-rays, ultraviolet and near-infrared bands have been used to characterize this event. The SN field was imaged with the ROTSE-IIIb optical telescope about seven days before the explosion. This allowed us to constrain the epoch of the shock breakout to JD = 2454825.6. The duration of the plateau phase, as derived from the photometric monitoring, was ~ 98 days. The spectra of SN 2008in show a striking resemblance to those of the archetypal low-luminosity IIP SNe 1997D and 1999br. A comparison of ejecta kinematics of SN 2008in with the hydrodynamical simulations of Type IIP SNe by Dessart et al. (2010) indicates that it is a less energetic event (~ 5$\times10^{50}$ erg). However, the light curve indicates that the production of radioactive $^{56}$Ni is significantly higher than that in the low-luminosity SNe. Adopting an interstellar absorption along the SN direction of $A_V$ ~ 0.3 mag and a distance of 13.2 Mpc, we estimated a synthesized Ni mass of ~ 0.015 $M_{\odot}$. Employing semi-analytical formulae (Litvinova & Nadezhin 1985), we derived a pre-SN radius of ~ 126$R_{\odot}$, an explosion energy of ~ 5.4$\times10^{50}$ erg and a total ejected mass of ~ 16.7$M_{\odot}$. The latter indicates that the zero age main-sequence mass of the progenitor did not exceed 20$M_{\odot}$. Considering the above properties of SN 2008in, and its occurrence in a region of sub-solar metallicity ([O/H] ~ 8.44 dex), it is unlikely that fall-back of the ejecta onto a newly formed black hole occurred in SN 2008in. We therefore favor a low-energy explosion scenario of a relatively compact, moderate-mass progenitor star that generates a neutron star.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

Rapidly Decaying Supernova 2010X: A Candidate ".Ia" Explosion

We present the discovery, photometric and spectroscopic follow-up observations of SN 2010X (PTF 10bhp). This supernova decays exponentially with tau_d=5 days, and rivals the current recordholder in speed, SN 2002bj. SN 2010X peaks at M_r=-17mag and has mean velocities of 10,000 km/s. Our light curve modeling suggests a radioactivity powered event and an ejecta mass of 0.16 Msun. If powered by Nickel, we show that the Nickel mass must be very small (0.02 Msun) and that the supernova quickly becomes optically thin to gamma-rays. Our spectral modeling suggests that SN 2010X and SN 2002bj have similar chemical compositions and that one of Aluminum or Helium is present. If Aluminum is present, we speculate that this may be an accretion induced collapse of an O-Ne-Mg white dwarf. If Helium is present, all observables of SN 2010X are consistent with being a thermonuclear Helium shell detonation on a white dwarf, a ".Ia" explosion. With the 1-day dynamic-cadence experiment on the Palomar Transient Factory, we expect to annually discover a few such events.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

Near-Ultraviolet Properties of a Large Sample of Type Ia Supernovae as Observed with the Swift UVOT

We present ultraviolet (UV) and optical photometry of 26 Type Ia supernovae (SNe~Ia) observed from March 2005 to March 2008 with the NASA {\it Swift} Ultraviolet and Optical Telescope (UVOT). The dataset consists of 2133 individual observations, making it by far the most complete study of the UV emission from SNe~Ia to date. Grouping the SNe into three subclasses as derived from optical observations, we investigate the evolution of the colors of these SNe, finding a high degree of homogeneity within the normal subclass, but dramatic differences between that group and the subluminous and SN 2002cx-like groups. For the normal events, the redder UV filters on UVOT ($u$, $uvw1$) show more homogeneity than do the bluer UV filters ($uvm2$, $uvw2$). Searching for purely UV characteristics to determine existing optically based groupings, we find the peak width to be a poor discriminant, but we do see a variation in the time delay between peak emission and the late, flat phase of the light curves. The UV light curves peak a few days before the $B$ band for most subclasses (as was previously reported by Jha et al. 2006a), although the SN 2002cx-like objects peak at a very early epoch in the UV. That group also features the bluest emission observed among SNe~Ia. As the observational campaign is ongoing, we discuss the critical times to observe, as determined by this study, in order to maximize the scientific output of future observations.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

The Absolute Magnitudes of Type Ia Supernovae in the Ultraviolet

We examine the absolute magnitudes and light-curve shapes of 14 nearby(redshift z = 0.004--0.027) Type Ia supernovae (SNe~Ia) observed in the ultraviolet (UV) with the Swift Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope. Colors and absolute magnitudes are calculated using both a standard Milky Way (MW) extinction law and one for the Large Magellanic Cloud that has been modified by circumstellar scattering. We find very different behavior in the near-UV filters (uvw1_rc covering ~2600-3300 A after removing optical light, and u ~3000--4000 A) compared to a mid-UV filter (uvm2 ~2000-2400 A). The uvw1_rc-b colors show a scatter of ~0.3 mag while uvm2-b scatters by nearly 0.9 mag. Similarly, while the scatter in colors between neighboring filters is small in the optical and somewhat larger in the near-UV, the large scatter in the uvm2-uvw1 colors implies significantly larger spectral variability below 2600 A. We find that in the near-UV the absolute magnitudes at peak brightness of normal SNe Ia in our sample are correlated with the optical decay rate with a scatter of 0.4 mag, comparable to that found for the optical in our sample. However, in the mid-UV the scatter is larger, ~1 mag, possibly indicating differences in metallicity. We find no strong correlation between either the UV light-curve shapes or the UV colors and the UV absolute magnitudes. With larger samples, the UV luminosity might be useful as an additional constraint to help determine distance, extinction, and metallicity in order to improve the utility of SNe Ia as standardized candles.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

Spectra of Type Ia Supernovae from Double Degenerate Mergers

The merger of two white dwarfs (a.k.a. double degenerate merger) has often been cited as a potential progenitor of type Ia supernovae. Here we combine population synthesis, merger and explosion models with radiation-hydrodynamics light-curve models to study the implications of such a progenitor scenario on the observed type Ia supernova population. Our standard model, assuming double degenerate mergers do produce thermonuclear explosions, produces supernova light-curves that are broader than the observed type Ia sample. In addition, we discuss how the shock breakout and spectral features of these double degenerate progenitors will differ from the canonical bare Chandrasekhar-massed explosion models. We conclude with a discussion of how one might reconcile these differences with current observations.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

Spectra and Light Curves of Failed Supernovae

Astronomers have proposed a number of mechanisms to produce supernova explosions. Although many of these mechanisms are now not considered primary engines behind supernovae, they do produce transients that will be observed by upcoming ground-based surveys and NASA satellites. Here we present the first radiation-hydrodynamics calculations of the spectra and light curves from three of these "failed" supernovae: supernovae with considerable fallback, accretion induced collapse of white dwarfs, and energetic helium flashes (also known as type .Ia supernovae).

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

X-rays from the explosion site: Fifteen years of light curves of SN 1993J

We present a comprehensive analysis of the X-ray light curves of SN 1993J in a nearby galaxy M81. This is the only supernova other than SN 1987A, which is so extensively followed in the X-ray bands. Here we report on SN 1993J observations with the {\it Chandra} in the year 2005 and 2008, and Swift observations in 2005, 2006 and 2008. We combined these observations with all available archival data of SN 1993J, which includes ROSAT, ASCA, {\it Chandra}, and XMM-{\it Newton} observations from 1993 April to 2006 August. In this paper we report the X-ray light curves of SN 1993J, extending up to fifteen years, in the soft (0.3--2.4 keV), hard (2--8 keV) and combined (0.3--8 keV) bands. The hard and soft-band fluxes decline at different rates initially, but after about 5 years they both undergo a $t^{-1}$ decline. The soft X-rays, which are initially low, start dominating after a few hundred days. We interpret that most of the emission below 8 keV is coming from the reverse shock which is radiative initially for around first 1000-2000 days and then turn into adiabatic shock. Our hydrodynamic simulation also confirms the reverse shock origin of the observed light curves. We also compare the H$α$ line luminosity of SN 1993J with its X-ray light curve and note that the H$α$ line luminosity has a fairly high fraction of the X-ray emission, indicating presence of clumps in the emitting plasma.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

The He-rich core-collapse supernova 2007Y: Observations from X-ray to Radio Wavelengths

A detailed study spanning approximately a year has been conducted on the Type Ib supernova 2007Y. Imaging was obtained from X-ray to radio wavelengths, and a comprehensive set of multi-band (w2m2w1u'g'r'i'UBVYJHKs) light curves and optical spectroscopy is presented. A virtually complete bolometric light curve is derived, from which we infer a (56)Ni-mass of 0.06 M_sun. The early spectrum strongly resembles SN 2005bf and exhibits high-velocity features of CaII and H_alpha; during late epochs the spectrum shows evidence of a ejecta-wind interaction. Nebular emission lines have similar widths and exhibit profiles that indicate a lack of major asymmetry in the ejecta. Late phase spectra are modeled with a non-LTE code, from which we find (56)Ni, O and total-ejecta masses (excluding He) to be 0.06, 0.2 and 0.42 M_sun, respectively, below 4,500 km/s. The (56)Ni mass confirms results obtained from the bolometric light curve. The oxygen abundance suggests the progenitor was most likely a ~3.3 M_sun He core star that evolved from a zero-age-main-sequence mass of 10-13 M_sun. The explosion energy is determined to be ~10^50 erg, and the mass-loss rate of the progenitor is constrained from X-ray and radio observations to be <~10^-6 M_sun/yr. SN 2007Y is among the least energetic normal Type Ib supernovae ever studied.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

Radio Supernovae: Circum-Stellar Investigation (C.S.I.) of Supernova Progenitor Stars

Prior to explosion, a supernova progenitor slowly loses significant amounts of its hydrogen envelope in a stellar wind. After the explosion, the blastwave interacts with this wind producing synchrotron emission. A year of radio observations allows us to probe the progenitor evolution for a thousand years. The EVLA and SKA would represent more than an order of magnitude improvement in our ability to explore the pre-explosion lives of a significantly large population of supernova progenitor stars. It will allow us to move beyond the crude optical classifications and develop a deeper physical understanding of how massive stars live and die.

astro-ph.HE↗