Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2011-06-20
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics
57 pages, 22 figures. To be published in the Astronomical Journal (September 2011)
Scientific paper
We present optical and near-infrared photometry, as well as ground-based optical spectra and Hubble Space Telescope ultraviolet spectra, of the Type Ia supernova (SN) 2001ay. At maximum light the Si II and Mg II lines indicated expansion velocities of 14,000 km/sec, while Si III and S II showed velocities of 9,000 km/sec There is also evidence for some unburned carbon at 12,000 km/sec. SN 2001ay exhibited a decline-rate parameter Delta m_15(B) = 0.68 \pm 0.05 mag; this and the B-band photometry at t > +25 d past maximum make it the most slowly declining Type Ia SN yet discovered. Three of four super-Chandrasekhar-mass candidates have decline rates almost as slow as this. After correction for Galactic and host-galaxy extinction, SN 2001ay had M_B = -19.19 and M_V = -19.17 mag at maximum light; thus, it was not overluminous in optical bands. In near-infrared bands it was overluminous only at the 2-sigma level at most. For a rise time of 18 d (explosion to bolometric maximum) the implied Ni-56 yield was (0.58 \pm 0.15)/alpha M_Sun, with alpha = L_max/E_Ni probably in the range 1.0 to 1.2. The Ni-56 yield is comparable to that of many Type Ia supernovae. The "normal" Ni-56 yield and the typical peak optical brightness suggest that the very broad optical light curve is explained by the trapping of the gamma rays in the inner regions.
"Howie" Marion G. H.
Aldering Greg
Berlind Perry L.
Calkins Michael
Challis Peter
No associations
LandOfFree
The Most Slowly Declining Type Ia Supernova 2001ay 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 Most Slowly Declining Type Ia Supernova 2001ay, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Most Slowly Declining Type Ia Supernova 2001ay will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-256297