The High-Metallicity Explosion Environment of the Relativistic Supernova 2009bb

Details The High-Metallicity Explosion Environment of the Relativistic Supernova 2009bb The High-Metallicity Explosion Environment of the Relativistic Supernova 2009bb

2009-08-19

arxiv.org/abs/0908.2818v3

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena

7 pages, 4 figures, 1 table; accepted for publication in ApJ Letters (replaced to include missing figure)

Scientific paper

We investigate the environment of the nearby (d ~ 40Mpc) broad-lined Type Ic supernova SN 2009bb. This event was observed to produce a relativistic outflow likely powered by a central accreting compact object. While such a phenomenon was previously observed only in long-duration gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs), no LGRB was detected in association with SN 2009bb. Using an optical spectrum of the SN 2009bb explosion site, we determine a variety of ISM properties for the host environment, including metallicity, young stellar population age, and star formation rate. We compare the SN explosion site properties to observations of LGRB and broad-lined SN Ic host environments on optical emission line ratio diagnostic diagrams. Based on these analyses, we find that the SN 2009bb explosion site has a very high metallicity of ~2x solar, in agreement with other broad-lined SN Ic host environments and at odds with the low-redshift LGRB host environments and recently proposed maximum metallicity limits for relativistic explosions. We consider the implications of these findings and the impact that SN 2009bb's unusual explosive properties and environment have on our understanding of the key physical ingredient that enables some SNe to produce a relativistic outflow.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The High-Metallicity Explosion Environment of the Relativistic Supernova 2009bb 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 The High-Metallicity Explosion Environment of the Relativistic Supernova 2009bb, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The High-Metallicity Explosion Environment of the Relativistic Supernova 2009bb will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-525458