Searching Hubble Space Telescope Images for Core-Collapse Supernova Progenitors

Abstract

Identifying the massive progenitor stars that give rise to core-collapse supernovae (SNe) is one of the main pursuits of supernova and stellar evolution studies, and is essential for understanding the birth of pulsars. Using ground-based images of recent, nearby SNe obtained primarily with the Katzman Automatic Imaging Telescope (KAIT), astrometry from 2MASS, and archival images from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), we have attempted the direct identification of the progenitors of 16 Type II and Type Ib/c SNe. We may have identified the progenitors of the Type II SNe 1999br and 1999ev, the Type Ib SNe 2001B and 2001is, and the Type Ic SN 1999bu, possibly doubling the number of known SN progenitors. For the remaining SNe, limits placed on the absolute magnitude and color (when available) of the progenitor allows us to place limits on the progenitor's mass. Specifically, we have been able to place a relatively stringent limit on the progenitor of the Type II-P SN 2001du in NGC 1365, consistent with the limits placed on the masses of other Type II-P SNe. We have also recently identified the progenitor of the Type II-P SN 2003gd in Messier 74.