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Published on: July 2, 2012
PTF 11kx: a type Ia supernova with a symbiotic nova progenitor
B Dilday1, D A Howell, S B Cenko
1Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network, 6740 Cortona Drive, Suite 102, Goleta, CA 93117, USA. bdilday@lcogt.net
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|August 28, 2012
Summary
Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) originate from exploding white dwarfs. New observations of SN PTF 11kx reveal complex circumstellar material, suggesting a symbiotic nova progenitor system similar to RS Ophiuchi.
Area of Science:
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Supernova Remnants
- Stellar Evolution
Background:
- Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are crucial cosmological tools, but their progenitor systems remain poorly understood.
- Direct observational evidence of the binary companions and immediate environments of SNe Ia is scarce.
- Identifying the progenitor systems is key to refining supernova models and understanding stellar evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the progenitor system of the Type Ia supernova PTF 11kx.
- To characterize the circumstellar environment and its interaction with supernova ejecta.
- To determine the nature of the binary companion involved in the supernova event.
Main Methods:
- Acquisition and analysis of a temporal series of high-resolution optical spectra of SN PTF 11kx.
- Detailed examination of the supernova ejecta and surrounding circumstellar material.
- Comparison of observed features with theoretical models of stellar interactions and supernova progenitors.
Main Results:
- Detection of multiple shells of circumstellar material around SN PTF 11kx.
- Observation of interaction between SN ejecta and circumstellar material commencing 59 days post-explosion.
- The complex circumstellar environment is consistent with a symbiotic nova progenitor system.
Conclusions:
- The progenitor system of SN PTF 11kx is best described as a symbiotic nova, akin to RS Ophiuchi.
- This finding provides crucial observational constraints on the nature of Type Ia supernova progenitors.
- Further studies of similar supernova environments are needed to confirm the prevalence of such systems.
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