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Updated: May 5, 2026
11:20
Investigation of Early Plasma Evolution Induced by Ultrashort Laser Pulses
Published on: July 2, 2012
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Slowly fading super-luminous supernovae that are not pair-instability explosions
M Nicholl1, S J Smartt, A Jerkstrand
1Astrophysics Research Centre, School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK. mnicholl03@qub.ac.uk
Nature
|October 18, 2013
Summary
Two new super-luminous supernovae challenge the pair-instability model. Observations suggest magnetar-powered explosions may explain these and similar cosmic events, suggesting pair-instability supernovae are rare.
Area of Science:
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Cosmic Explosions
- Stellar Evolution
Background:
- Super-luminous supernovae (SLSNe) are powerful stellar explosions observed in distant galaxies.
- Some SLSNe resemble theoretical 'pair-instability' supernovae, originating from massive stars in the early Universe.
- Supernova 2007bi, a potential pair-instability event, has characteristics that are now being re-evaluated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the nature of two SLSNe with unusual observational properties.
- To determine if these SLSNe are consistent with pair-instability models or alternative explosion mechanisms.
- To reassess the characteristics and prevalence of pair-instability supernovae.
Main Methods:
- Observation and analysis of light curves and spectra from two SLSNe.
- Comparison of observed data with theoretical models, including pair-instability and magnetar-powered explosions.
- Assessment of the implications for the rate of pair-instability supernovae.
Main Results:
- Two SLSNe exhibit fast rise times and blue colors, inconsistent with pair-instability models.
- Late-time light curves and spectra show similarities to supernova 2007bi, questioning its classification.
- Modeling suggests magnetar-energized ejecta (10-16 solar masses) can explain the observed phenomena.
- The rate of nearby pair-instability events appears to be very low.
Conclusions:
- The observed SLSNe are unlikely to be pair-instability events.
- Magnetar-powered explosions offer a plausible alternative mechanism for these SLSNe.
- The findings suggest that pair-instability supernovae may be rarer than previously thought.
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