Metallicities at the Sites of Nearby SN and Implications for the SN-GRB Connection

Details Metallicities at the Sites of Nearby SN and Implications for the SN-GRB Connection Metallicities at the Sites of Nearby SN and Implications for the SN-GRB Connection

Jun 2008

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008iaus..250..503m&link_type=abstract

Massive Stars as Cosmic Engines, Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, IAU Symposium, Volume 250, p. 503-508

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Gamma Rays: Bursts, Supernovae: Individual, Galaxies: Abundances

Scientific paper

While the broad-lined Type Ic supernovae (SN Ic-bl) associated with long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have been studied, we do not fully understand the conditions that lead to each kind of explosion in a massive star. Here we show clues as to the production mechanism of GRBs by comparing the chemical abundances at the sites of 5 nearby (z < 0.25) broad-lined SN Ic that accompany nearby GRBs with those of 12 nearby (z < 0.14) broad-lined SN Ic that have no observed GRBs. We show that the oxygen abundances at the GRB sites are systematically lower than those found near ordinary broad-lined SN Ic. A unique feature of this analysis is that we present new spectra of the host galaxies and analyze the measurements of both samples in the same set of ways, using 3 independent metallicity diagnostics. We demonstrate that neither SN selection effects (SN found via targeted vs. non-targeted surveys) nor the choice of strong-line metallicity diagnostic can cause the observed trend. Though our sample size is small, the observations are consistent with the hypothesis that low metal abundance is the cause of some massive stars becoming SN-GRB. We derive a cut-off metallicity of 0.2-0.6 Z&sun;, with the exact value depending on the adopted metallicity scale and solar abundance value.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Metallicities at the Sites of Nearby SN and Implications for the SN-GRB Connection 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 Metallicities at the Sites of Nearby SN and Implications for the SN-GRB Connection, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Metallicities at the Sites of Nearby SN and Implications for the SN-GRB Connection will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1569010