arXiv subjects

V. Kouprianov

Publications and source records attributed to V. Kouprianov.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Early interaction signatures and an extended plateau phase in Type II SN 2020aze

We present a photometric and spectroscopic analysis of the fast-declining Type II SN 2020aze, observed in optical bands from 2.2 to 137.4 days after explosion. The V-band light curve reaches a peak absolute magnitude of about minus 16.97$\pm$0.20 mag by 15 days, followed by a recombination phase with a decline rate of 2.04$\pm$0.13 mag per 100 days, lasting about 120 days. Early spectra (younger than 6 days) show a transient weak narrow emission line at 4687 Angstroms and a feature spanning 4400-4800 Angstroms, attributed to narrow and broad blue-shifted He II 4686, indicating interaction between the ejecta and dense circumstellar material. Comparison with spectral models suggests a red supergiant progenitor with a weak wind and a mass-loss rate of about 1e-3 solar masses per year. Semi-analytical light-curve modeling gives an initial radius of about 1100 solar radii, an ejecta mass of about 12 solar masses, an explosion energy of about 1.5e51 erg, and a progenitor mass of about 14 solar masses. These early interaction signatures, the steep decline, and the extended photospheric phase highlight the role of pre-supernova mass loss and circumstellar interaction in shaping the diversity of Type II supernovae.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Constraining the size, shape, and albedo of the large Trans-Neptunian Object (28978) Ixion with multi-chord stellar occultations

Trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) are among the most primitive remnants of the early Solar System, and constraining their sizes, shapes, albedos, and surface properties is essential for understanding their origin and evolution. Stellar occultations provide highly accurate size and shape measurements for TNOs, while photometry constrains their albedo and surface colours. (28978) Ixion is one of the largest TNOs and a prominent Plutino, making it a key target for comparative studies. We aim to constrain Ixion's projected size, shape, absolute magnitude, geometric albedo, and surface colours, and to search for evidence of an atmosphere or circum-object material. We analysed stellar occultation campaigns by Ixion conducted between 2020 and 2023 within the Lucky Star collaboration, comprising 51 observations from eight events, including 30 positive detections. Five multi-chord events enabled a global limb fit and an accurate reconstruction of Ixion's projected shape. The occultations reveal a slightly elongated limb well represented by a single projected ellipse, yielding an area-equivalent diameter of $D_{\mathrm{equiv}} = 696.78^{+10.75}_{-8.87}$ km and an apparent oblateness $ε' = 0.081^{+0.004}_{-0.010}$. Typical radial residuals of order $\sim$10 km indicate a largely stable shape across epochs, with modest epoch-dependent variations. Calibrated photometric data yield an absolute magnitude of $H_V = 3.845 \pm 0.006$, a phase-curve slope of $β= 0.1301 \pm 0.0078$ mag deg$^{-1}$, and a visible geometric albedo of $p_V = 0.106^{+0.003}_{-0.003}$, with colours consistent with moderately red TNO surfaces. No atmosphere or circum-object material is detected down to our sensitivity limits. The best-sampled event also allows a precise measurement of the angular diameter of the occulted star Gaia DR3 4056440205544338944, $θ_\star = 0.670 \pm 0.010$ mas.

astro-ph.EP↗

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.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2022

Early Lightcurves of Type Ia Supernovae are Consistent with Nondegenerate Progenitor Companions

If Type Ia supernovae (SNe~Ia) result from a white dwarf being ignited by Roche lobe overflow from a nondegenerate companion, then as the supernova explosion runs into the companion star its ejecta will be shocked, causing an early blue excess in the lightcurve. A handful of these excesses have been found in single-object studies, but inferences about the population of SNe~Ia as a whole have been limited because of the rarity of multiwavelength followup within days of explosion. Here we present a three-year investigation yielding an unbiased sample of nine nearby ($z<0.01$) SNe~Ia with exemplary early data. The data are truly multiwavelength, covering $UBVgri$ and Swift bandpasses, and also early, with an average first epoch 16.0 days before maximum light. Of the nine objects, three show early blue excesses. We do not find enough statistical evidence to reject the null hypothesis that SNe~Ia predominantly arise from Roche-lobe-overflowing single-degenerate systems ($p=0.94$). When looking at the objects' colors, we find the objects are almost uniformly near-UV-blue, in contrast to earlier literature samples which found that only a third of SNe~Ia are near-UV-blue, and we find a seemingly continuous range of $B-V$ colors in the days after explosion, again in contrast with earlier claims in the literature. This study highlights the importance of early, truly multiwavelength, high-cadence data in determining the progenitor systems of SNe~Ia and in revealing their diverse early behavior.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

Constraining the Evolution of Cataclysmic Variables via the Masses and Accretion Rates of their Underlying White Dwarfs

We report on the masses ($M_\mathrm{WD}$), effective temperatures ($T_\mathrm{eff}$) and secular mean accretion rates ($\langle \dot{M} \rangle$) of 43 cataclysmic variable (CV) white dwarfs, 42 of which were obtained from the combined analysis of their $\mathit{Hubble~Space~Telescope}$ ultraviolet data with the parallaxes provided by the Early Third Data Release of the $\mathit{Gaia}$ space mission, and one from the white dwarf gravitational redshift. Our results double the number of CV white dwarfs with an accurate mass measurement, bringing the total census to 89 systems. From the study of the mass distribution, we derive $\langle M_\mathrm{WD} \rangle = 0.81^{+0.16}_{-0.20}\,\mathrm{M_\odot}$, in perfect agreement with previous results, and find no evidence of any evolution of the mass with orbital period. Moreover, we identify five systems with $M_\mathrm{WD} < 0.5\mathrm{M_\odot}$, which are most likely representative of helium-core white dwarfs, showing that these CVs are present in the overall population. We reveal the presence of an anti-correlation between the average accretion rates and the white dwarf masses for the systems below the $2-3\,$h period gap. Since $\langle \dot{M} \rangle$ reflects the rate of system angular momentum loss, this correlation suggests the presence of an additional mechanism of angular momentum loss that is more efficient at low white dwarf masses. This is the fundamental concept of the recently proposed empirical prescription of consequential angular momentum loss (eCAML) and our results provide observational support for it, although we also highlight how its current recipe needs to be refined to better reproduce the observed scatter in $T_\mathrm{eff}$ and $\langle \dot{M} \rangle$, and the presence of helium-core white dwarfs.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2021

Refined physical parameters for Chariklo's body and rings from stellar occultations observed between 2013 and 2020

The Centaur (10199) Chariklo has the first rings system discovered around a small object. It was first observed using stellar occultation in 2013. Stellar occultations allow the determination of sizes and shapes with kilometre accuracy and obtain characteristics of the occulting object and its vicinity. Using stellar occultations observed between 2017 and 2020, we aim at constraining Chariklo's and its rings physical parameters. We also determine the rings' structure, and obtain precise astrometrical positions of Chariklo. We predicted and organised several observational campaigns of stellar occultations by Chariklo. Occultation light curves were measured from the data sets, from which ingress and egress times, and rings' width and opacity were obtained. These measurements, combined with results from previous works, allow us to obtain significant constraints on Chariklo's shape and rings' structure. We characterise Chariklo's ring system (C1R and C2R), and obtain radii and pole orientations that are consistent with, but more accurate than, results from previous occultations. We confirmed the detection of W-shaped structures within C1R and an evident variation of radial width. The observed width ranges between 4.8 and 9.1 km with a mean value of 6.5 km. One dual observation (visible and red) does not reveal any differences in the C1R opacity profiles, indicating ring particle's size larger than a few microns. The C1R ring eccentricity is found to be smaller than 0.022 (3-sigma), and its width variations may indicate an eccentricity higher than 0.005. We fit a tri-axial shape to Chariklo's detections over eleven occultations and determine that Chariklo is consistent with an ellipsoid with semi-axes of 143.8, 135.2 and 99.1 km. Ultimately, we provided seven astrometric positions at a milliarcseconds accuracy level, based on Gaia EDR3, and use it to improve Chariklo's ephemeris.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2020

The early discovery of SN 2017ahn: signatures of persistent interaction in a fast declining Type II supernova

We present high-cadence, comprehensive data on the nearby ($D\simeq33\,\rm{Mpc}$) Type II SN 2017ahn, discovered within $\sim$1 day of explosion, from the very early phases after explosion to the nebular phase. The observables of SN 2017ahn show a significant evolution over the $\simeq470\,\rm{d}$ of our follow-up campaign, first showing prominent, narrow Balmer lines and other high-ionization features purely in emission (i.e. flash spectroscopy features), which progressively fade and lead to a spectroscopic evolution similar to that of more canonical Type II supernovae. Over the same period, the decline of the light curves in all bands is fast, resembling the photometric evolution of linearly declining H-rich core-collapse supernovae. The modeling of the light curves and early flash spectra suggest a complex circumstellar medium surrounding the progenitor star at the time of explosion, with a first dense shell produced during the very late stages of its evolution being swept up by the rapidly expanding ejecta within the first $\sim6\,\rm{d}$ of the supernova evolution, while signatures of interaction are observed also at later phases. Hydrodynamical models support the scenario in which linearly declining Type II supernovae are predicted to arise from massive yellow super/hyper giants depleted of most of their hydrogen layers.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Discovery and Rapid Follow-up Observations of the Unusual Type II SN 2018ivc in NGC 1068

We present the discovery and high-cadence follow-up observations of SN 2018ivc, an unusual Type II supernova that exploded in NGC 1068 (D=10.1 Mpc). The light curve of SN 2018ivc declines piecewise-linearly, changing slope frequently, with four clear slope changes in the first 30 days of evolution. This rapidly changing light curve indicates that interaction between the circumstellar material and ejecta plays a significant role in the evolution. Circumstellar interaction is further supported by a strong X-ray detection. The spectra are rapidly evolving and dominated by hydrogen, helium, and calcium emission lines. We identify a rare high-velocity emission-line feature blueshifted at ~7800 km/s (in Ha, Hb, Pb, Pg, HeI, CaII), which is visible from day 18 until at least day 78 and could be evidence of an asymmetric progenitor or explosion. From the overall similarity between SN 2018ivc and SN 1996al, the \Ha{} equivalent width of its parent HII region, and constraints from pre-explosion archival Hubble Space Telescope images, we find that the progenitor of SN 2018ivc could be as massive as 52 Msun but is more likely <12 Msun. SN 2018ivc demonstrates the importance of the early discovery and rapid follow-up observations of nearby supernovae to study the physics and progenitors of these cosmic explosions.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Luminous Type II supernovae for their low expansion velocities

We present optical and near-IR data of three Type II supernovae (SNe II), SN 2008bm, SN 2009aj, and SN 2009au. These SNe display the following common characteristics: signs of early interaction of the ejecta with circumstellar material (CSM), blue $B\!-\!V$ colours, weakness of metal lines, low expansion velocities, and $V$-band absolute magnitudes 2-3 mag brighter than those expected for normal SNe II based on their expansion velocities. Two more SNe reported in the literature (SN 1983K and LSQ13fn) share properties similar to our sample. Analysing this set of five SNe II, which are luminous for their low expansion velocities (LLEV), we find that their properties can be reproduced assuming ejecta-CSM interaction that lasts between 4-11 weeks post explosion. The contribution of this interaction to the radiation field seems to be the dominant component determining the observed weakness of metal lines in the spectra rather than the progenitor metallicity. Based on hydrodynamic simulations, we find that the interaction of the ejecta with a CSM of ~3.6 M$_\odot$ can reproduce the light curves and expansion velocities of SN 2009aj. Using data collected by the Chilean Automatic Supernova Search, we estimate an upper limit for the LLEV SNe II fraction to be 2-4 per cent of all normal SNe II. With the current data-set, it is not clear whether the LLEV events are a separated class of SNe II with a different progenitor system, or whether they are the extreme of a continuum mediated by CSM interaction with the rest of the normal SN II population.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

X-ray, UV and optical time delays in the bright Seyfert galaxy Ark 120 with co-ordinated Swift and ground-based observations

We report on the results of a multiwavelength monitoring campaign of the bright, nearby Seyfert galaxy, Ark 120 using a ~50-day observing programme with Swift and a ~4-month co-ordinated ground-based observing campaign, predominantly using the Skynet Robotic Telescope Network. We find Ark 120 to be variable at all optical, UV, and X-ray wavelengths, with the variability observed to be well-correlated between wavelength bands on short timescales. We perform cross-correlation analysis across all available wavelength bands, detecting time delays between emission in the X-ray band and the Swift V, B and UVW1 bands. In each case, we find that the longer-wavelength emission is delayed with respect to the shorter-wavelength emission. Within our measurement uncertainties, the time delays are consistent with the τ~ λ^{4/3} relation, as predicted by a disc reprocessing scenario. The measured lag centroids are τ_{cent} = 11.90 +/- 7.33, 10.80 +/- 4.08, and 10.60 +/- 2.87 days between the X-ray and V, B, and UVW1 bands, respectively. These time delays are longer than those expected from standard accretion theory and, as such, Ark 120 may be another example of an active galaxy whose accretion disc appears to exist on a larger scale than predicted by the standard thin-disc model. Additionally, we detect further inter-band time delays: most notably between the ground-based I and B bands (τ_{cent} = 3.46 +/- 0.86 days), and between both the Swift XRT and UVW1 bands and the I band (τ_{cent} = 12.34 +/- 4.83 and 2.69 +/- 2.05 days, respectively), highlighting the importance of co-ordinated ground-based optical observations.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2019

SN 2017gmr: An energetic Type II-P supernova with asymmetries

We present high-cadence ultraviolet (UV), optical, and near-infrared (NIR) data on the luminous Type II-P supernova SN 2017gmr from hours after discovery through the first 180 days. SN 2017gmr does not show signs of narrow, high-ionization emission lines in the early optical spectra, yet the optical lightcurve evolution suggests that an extra energy source from circumstellar medium (CSM) interaction must be present for at least 2 days after explosion. Modeling of the early lightcurve indicates a ~500R$_{\odot}$ progenitor radius, consistent with a rather compact red supergiant, and late-time luminosities indicate up to 0.130 $\pm$ 0.026 M$_{\odot}$ of $^{56}$Ni are present, if the lightcurve is solely powered by radioactive decay, although the $^{56}$Ni mass may be lower if CSM interaction contributes to the post-plateau luminosity. Prominent multi-peaked emission lines of H$α$ and [O I] emerge after day 154, as a result of either an asymmetric explosion or asymmetries in the CSM. The lack of narrow lines within the first two days of explosion in the likely presence of CSM interaction may be an example of close, dense, asymmetric CSM that is quickly enveloped by the spherical supernova ejecta.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2014

Detrending algorithms in large time-series: Application to TFRM-PSES data

Certain instrumental effects and data reduction anomalies introduce systematic errors in photometric time-series. Detrending algorithms such as the Trend Filtering Algorithm (TFA) (Kovács et al. 2004) have played a key role in minimizing the effects caused by these systematics. Here we present the results obtained after applying the TFA, Savitszky-Golay (Savitzky & Golay 1964) detrending algorithms and the Box Least Square phase folding algorithm (Kovács et al. 2002) to the TFRM-PSES data (Fors et al. 2013). Tests performed on this data show that by applying these two filtering methods together, the photometric RMS is on average improved by a factor of 3-4, with better efficiency towards brighter magnitudes, while applying TFA alone yields an improvement of a factor 1-2. As a result of this improvement, we are able to detect and analyze a large number of stars per TFRM-PSES field which present some kind of variability. Also, after porting these algorithms to Python and parallelizing them, we have improved, even for large data samples, the computing performance of the overall detrending+BLS algorithm by a factor of $\sim$10 with respect to Kovács et al. (2004).

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2012

The shallow-decay phase in both optical and x-ray afterglows of Swift GRB 090529A: Energy injection into a wind-type medium?

The energy injection model is usually proposed to interpret the shallow-decay phase in Swift GRB X-ray afterglows. However, very few GRBs have simultaneous signatures of energy injection in their optical and X-ray afterglows. Here, we report optical observations of GRB 090529A from 2000 sec to $\sim10^6$ sec after the burst, in which an achromatic decay is seen at both wavelengths. The optical light curve shows a decay from 0.37 to 0.99 with a break at $\sim10^5$ sec. In the same time interval, the decay indices of the X-ray light curve changed from 0.04 to 1.2. Comparing these values with the closure relations, the segment after 3$\times10^{4}$ sec is consistent with the prediction of the forward shock in an ISM medium without any energy injection. The shallow-decay phase between 2000 to 3$\times10^{4}$ sec could be due to the external shock in a wind-type-like medium with an energy injection under the condition of $ν_o < ν_c < ν_x$. However, the constraint of the spectral region is not well consistent with the multi-band observations. For this shallow-decay phase, other models are also possible, such as energy injection with evolving microphysical parameters, or a jet viewed off-axis,etc.

astro-ph.HE↗