A mildly relativistic radio jet from the otherwise normal Type Ic Supernova 2007gr

Details A mildly relativistic radio jet from the otherwise normal Type Ic Supernova 2007gr A mildly relativistic radio jet from the otherwise normal Type Ic Supernova 2007gr

2010-01-27

arxiv.org/abs/1001.5060v1

Nature 463, 516-518 (28 January 2010)

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena

Nature, 10 pages (including supplementary material), 2 figures

Scientific paper

10.1038/nature08713

The class of type Ic supernovae have drawn increasing attention since 1998 owing to their sparse association (only four so far) with long duration gamma-ray bursts. Although both phenomena originate from the core collapse of a massive star, supernovae emit mostly at optical wavelengths, whereas GRBs emit mostly in soft gamma-rays or hard X-rays. Though the GRB central engine generates ultra-relativistic jets, which beam the early emission into a narrow cone, no relativistic outflows have hitherto been found in type Ib/c supernovae explosions, despite theoretical expectations and searches. Here we report radio (interferometric) observations that reveal a mildly relativistic expansion in a nearby type Ic supernova, SN 2007gr. Using two observational epochs 60 days apart, we detect expansion of the source and establish a conservative lower limit for the average apparent expansion velocity of 0.6c. Independently, a second mildly relativistic supernova has been reported. Contrary to the radio data, optical observations of SN 2007gr indicate a typical type Ic supernova with ejecta velocities ~6000 km/s, much lower than in GRB-associated supernovae. We conclude that in SN 2007gr a small fraction of the ejecta produced a low-energy mildly relativistic bipolar radio jet, while the bulk of the ejecta were slower and, as shown by optical spectro-polarimetry, mildly aspherical.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

A mildly relativistic radio jet from the otherwise normal Type Ic Supernova 2007gr 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 mildly relativistic radio jet from the otherwise normal Type Ic Supernova 2007gr, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A mildly relativistic radio jet from the otherwise normal Type Ic Supernova 2007gr will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-253870