Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Scientific paper
2009-09-04
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Accepted to ApJ Letters, 14 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables
Scientific paper
We present the UV, optical, X-ray, and radio properties of the Type IIb SN 2008ax discovered in NGC 4490. The observations in the UV are one of the earliest of a Type IIb supernova (SN). On approximately day four after the explosion, a dramatic upturn in the u and uvw1 (lambda_c = 2600 Angstroms) light curves occurred after an initial rapid decline which is attributed to adiabatic cooling after the initial shock breakout. This rapid decline and upturn is reminiscent of the Type IIb SN 1993J on day six after the explosion. Optical/near-IR spectra taken around the peak reveal prominent H-alpha, HeI, and CaII absorption lines. A fading X-ray source is also located at the position of SN 2008ax, implying an interaction of the SN shock with the surrounding circumstellar material and a mass-loss rate of the progenitor of M_dot = (9+/-3)x10^-6 solar masses per year. The unusual time evolution (14 days) of the 6 cm peak radio luminosity provides further evidence that the mass-loss rate is low. Combining the UV, optical, X-ray, and radio data with models of helium exploding stars implies the progenitor of SN 2008ax was an unmixed star in an interacting-binary. Modeling of the SN light curve suggests a kinetic energy (E_k) of 0.5x10^51 ergs, an ejecta mass (M_ej) of 2.9 solar masses, and a nickel mass (M_Ni) of 0.06 solar masses.
Brown Peter J.
Holland Stephen T.
Hoversten Erik A.
Immler Stefan
Milne Peter A.
No associations
LandOfFree
Multi-Wavelength Properties of the Type IIb SN 2008ax 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 Multi-Wavelength Properties of the Type IIb SN 2008ax, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Multi-Wavelength Properties of the Type IIb SN 2008ax will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-160905