A low energy core-collapse supernova without a hydrogen envelope

Details A low energy core-collapse supernova without a hydrogen envelope A low energy core-collapse supernova without a hydrogen envelope

2009-01-14

arxiv.org/abs/0901.2074v2

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Solar and Stellar Astrophysics

Submitted 12 January 2009 - Accepted 24 March 2009

Scientific paper

The final fate of massive stars depends on many factors, including mass, rotation rate, magnetic fields and metallicity. Theory suggests that some massive stars (initially greater than 25-30 solar masses) end up as Wolf-Rayet stars which are deficient in hydrogen because of mass loss through strong stellar winds. The most massive of these stars have cores which may form a black hole and theory predicts that the resulting explosion produces ejecta of low kinetic energy, a faint optical display and a small mass fraction of radioactive nickel(1,2,3). An alternative origin for low energy supernovae is the collapse of the oxygen-neon core of a relatively lowmass star (7-9 solar masses) through electron capture(4,5). However no weak, hydrogen deficient, core-collapse supernovae are known. Here we report that such faint, low energy core-collapse supernovae do exist, and show that SN2008ha is the faintest hydrogen poor supernova ever observed. We propose that other similar events have been observed but they have been misclassified as peculiar thermonuclear supernovae (sometimes labelled SN2002cx-like events(6)). This discovery could link these faint supernovae to some long duration gamma-ray bursts. Extremely faint, hydrogen-stripped core-collapse supernovae have been proposed to produce those long gamma-ray bursts whose afterglows do not show evidence of association with supernovae (7,8,9).

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

A low energy core-collapse supernova without a hydrogen envelope does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with A low energy core-collapse supernova without a hydrogen envelope, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A low energy core-collapse supernova without a hydrogen envelope will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-376055