The direct identification of core-collapse supernova progenitors

Area of Science:

• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Stellar Evolution
• Supernovae

Background:

• Understanding core-collapse supernovae (SNe) requires identifying their massive star origins.
• Direct identification of SN progenitors is crucial for contextualizing stellar evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To directly identify supernova progenitors using pre-explosion images.
• To link various core-collapse supernova types to their specific stellar origins.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing high-resolution pre-explosion images, particularly from the Hubble Space Telescope.
• Performing astrometric matching of supernovae with their putative progenitors in existing astronomical data.

Main Results:

• Direct identification confirms Type II-P supernovae originate from red supergiants.
• Progenitors for Type IIb and Type Ib supernovae have been identified, often involving stripped-envelope stars.
• Evidence suggests a link between some Type IIn supernovae and luminous blue variable stars, though further confirmation is needed.

Conclusions:

• Direct progenitor identification is a powerful tool for understanding supernova diversity.
• Challenges remain in identifying progenitors for all SN types, especially Type Ic.
• Future work includes revisiting SN sites to confirm progenitor disappearance and detect binary companions.