Constraining the Type Ia Supernova Progenitor: The Search for Hydrogen in Nebular Spectra

Details Constraining the Type Ia Supernova Progenitor: The Search for Hydrogen in Nebular Spectra Constraining the Type Ia Supernova Progenitor: The Search for Hydrogen in Nebular Spectra

2007-10-16

arxiv.org/abs/0710.3166v1

2007, ApJ, 670, 1275

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal. 16 pages, 1 figure

Scientific paper

10.1086/522367

Despite intense scrutiny, the progenitor system(s) that gives rise to Type Ia supernovae remains unknown. The favored theory invokes a carbon-oxygen white dwarf accreting hydrogen-rich material from a close companion until a thermonuclear runaway ensues that incinerates the white dwarf. However, simulations resulting from this single-degenerate, binary channel demand the presence of low-velocity H-alpha emission in spectra taken during the late nebular phase, since a portion of the companion's envelope becomes entrained in the ejecta. This hydrogen has never been detected, but has only rarely been sought. Here we present results from a campaign to obtain deep, nebular-phase spectroscopy of nearby Type Ia supernovae, and include multi-epoch observations of two events: SN 2005am (slightly subluminous) and SN 2005cf (normally bright). No H-alpha emission is detected in the spectra of either object. An upper limit of 0.01 M_Sun of solar abundance material in the ejecta is established from the models of Mattila et al. which, when coupled with the mass-stripping simulations of Marietta et al. and Meng et al. effectively rules out progenitor systems for these supernovae with secondaries close enough to the white dwarf to be experiencing Roche lobe overflow at the time of explosion. Alternative explanations for the absence of H-alpha emission, along with suggestions for future investigations necessary to confidently exclude them as possibilities, are critically evaluated.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Constraining the Type Ia Supernova Progenitor: The Search for Hydrogen in Nebular Spectra 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 Constraining the Type Ia Supernova Progenitor: The Search for Hydrogen in Nebular Spectra, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Constraining the Type Ia Supernova Progenitor: The Search for Hydrogen in Nebular Spectra will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-11132