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Lense-Thirring precessing magnetar engine drives a superluminous supernova.

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Summary

Superluminous supernovae (SLSNe-I) are powered by magnetars, with observed light-curve bumps explained by Lense-Thirring precession around the magnetar. This confirms the magnetar spin-down model for SLSNe-I luminosity and offers new tests for general relativity.

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Area of Science:

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • High-energy astrophysics
  • Cosmic explosions

Background:

  • Type I superluminous supernovae (SLSNe-I) are exceptionally bright stellar explosions, significantly more luminous than standard supernovae.
  • The energy source powering SLSNe-I remains uncertain, with magnetars proposed as central engines.
  • Observed light-curve bumps in SLSNe-I are not fully explained by standard magnetar models, leading to alternative hypotheses involving circumstellar material interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the origin of light-curve bumps in SLSNe-I.
  • To test the magnetar spin-down model as the power source for SLSNe-I luminosity.
  • To provide observational evidence for relativistic effects in the extreme environments of supernovae.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted high-cadence, multiband observations of a Type I superluminous supernova.
  • Analyzed the 'chirped' (period-decreasing) light-curve bumps.
  • Modeled the supernova ejecta, central magnetar, and surrounding accretion disk dynamics, including Lense-Thirring precession.

Main Results:

  • Observed distinct 'chirped' bumps in the SLSN-I light curve directly linked to magnetar properties.
  • Constrained the magnetar spin period to 4.2 ± 0.2 ms and magnetic field strength to (1.6 ± 0.1) × 10^14 G.
  • Found observations consistent with a magnetar surrounded by an infalling accretion disk exhibiting Lense-Thirring precession.

Conclusions:

  • The observed light-curve bumps provide the first direct observational evidence of Lense-Thirring precession around a magnetar.
  • The magnetar spin-down model is confirmed as the explanation for SLSNe-I luminosity.
  • This study opens new avenues for testing general relativity in the extreme environments of young supernovae.