A Wolf-Rayet-like progenitor of supernova SN 2013cu from spectral observations of a wind
read the original abstract
The explosive fate of massive stripped Wolf-Rayet (W-R) stars is a key open question in stellar physics. An appealing option is that hydrogen-deficient W-R stars are the progenitors of some H-poor supernova (SN) explosions of Types IIb, Ib, and Ic. A blue object, having luminosity and colors consistent with those of some W-R stars, has been recently identified at the location of a SN~Ib in pre-explosion images but has not yet been conclusively determined to have been the progenitor. Similar previous works have so far only resulted in nondetections. Comparison of early photometric observations of Type Ic supernovae with theoretical models suggests that the progenitor stars had radii <10^12 cm, as expected for some W-R stars. However, the hallmark signature of W-R stars, their emission-line spectra, cannot be probed by such studies. Here, we report the detection of strong emission lines in an early-time spectrum of SN 2013cu (iPTF13ast; Type IIb) obtained ~15.5 hr after explosion ("flash spectroscopy"). We identify W-R-like wind signatures suggesting a progenitor of the WN(h) subclass. The extent of this dense wind may indicate increased mass loss from the progenitor shortly prior to its explosion, consistent with recent theoretical predictions.
This paper has not been read by Pith yet.
Forward citations
Cited by 5 Pith papers
-
SN 2020bij and a Possible Slow-Rise High-Velocity Subclass of Type IIP Supernovae
SN 2020bij and four other Type IIP SNe with slow-rising light curves and high velocities are modeled with weak to no CSM interaction, suggesting a new subclass linked to confined CSM.
-
Neutron star-companion interaction in core collapse supernovae. Population synthesis based on detailed binary evolution models
Population synthesis from binary evolution models predicts periodic neutron star-companion interactions in more than half of surviving hydrogen-poor core-collapse supernovae, with periods peaking at 20-50 days and las...
-
SN 2019vxm: A luminous and long-lived Type IIn supernova with early flash-ionisation features
SN 2019vxm is a luminous, long-lived Type IIn supernova showing early flash-ionization features, a power-law bolometric light curve, and mid-IR dust formation, with a progenitor mass-loss rate lower limit of at least ...
-
Late-time evolution of the interacting stripped-envelope supernova 2017dio
Late-time data on SN 2017dio yield mass-loss rates of ~0.2 M_sun/yr peak and ~0.06 typical, with H-rich CSM from a companion and dust masses 0.001-0.02 M_sun, indicating sudden mass-loss increase.
-
SN 2023rve: A Type II Supernova with No Nebular Oxygen
SN 2023rve exhibits absent [O I] nebular lines with inferred 14-18 solar mass progenitor, 0.27e51 erg explosion energy, and 0.0064 solar mass nickel, possibly indicating partial fallback.
discussion (0)
Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.