B-band Light Research Articles

A comparative analysis of type Ia supernovae 2018xx and 2019gbx

We present a comparative study of two nearby type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), 2018xx and 2019gbx, that exploded in NGC 4767 and MCG-02-33-017 at a distance of 48 Mpc and 60 Mpc, respectively. The B-band light curve decline rate for SN 2018xx is estimated to be 1.48 ± 0.07 mag and for SN 2019gbx it is 1.37 ± 0.07 mag. Despite the similarities in photometric evolution, quasi-bolometric luminosity, and spectroscopy between these two SNe Ia, SN 2018xx has been found to be fainter by about ∼0.38 mag in the B-band and has a lower 56Ni yield. Their host galaxies have similar metallicities at the SN location, indicating that the differences between these two SNe Ia may be associated with the higher progenitor metallicity of SN 2018xx. Further inspection of the near-maximum-light spectra has revealed that SN 2018xx has relatively strong absorption features near 4300 Å relative to SN 2019gbx. The application of the code TARDIS fitting to the above features indicates that the absorption features near 4300 Å appear to be related to not only Fe II/Mg II abundance but possibly to the other element abundances as well. Moreover, SN 2018xx shows a weaker carbon absorption at earlier times, which is also consistent with higher ejecta metallicity.

SN 2017fzw: A Fast-Expanding Type Ia Supernova with Transitional Features

In this study, we analyzed the optical observations of a subluminous Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) 2017fzw, which exhibited high photospheric velocity (HV) at B-band maximum light. The absolute B-band peak magnitude was determined to be MmaxB=−18.65±0.13 mag, similar to 91bg-like SNe Ia. An estimation of the rate of decline for the B-band light curve was determined to be Δm15(B)=1.60±0.06 mag. The spectra of SN 2017fzw were similar to those of 91bg-like SNe Ia, with prominent Ti ii and Si ii λ5972 features at early phases, gradually transitioning to spectra resembling normal (mainly HV subclass) SNe Ia at later phases, with a stronger Ca ii NIR feature. Notably, throughout all phases of observation, SN 2017fzw displayed spectral evolution characteristics that were comparable to those of HV SNe Ia, and at peak brightness, the Si ii λ6355 velocity was determined to be 13,800 ± 415 km s−1 and a more pronounced Ca ii NIR feature was also detected. Based on these findings, we classify SN 2017fzw as a transitional object with properties of both normal and 91bg-like SNe Ia, providing support for the hypothesis of a continuous distribution of supernovae between these two groups.

SN 2012ij: A Low-luminosity Type Ia Supernova and Evidence for a Continuous Distribution from a 91bg-like Explosion to Normal Ones*

Abstract In this paper, we present photometric and spectroscopic observations of the subluminous Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) 2012ij, which has an absolute B-band peak magnitude M B , max = − 17.95 ± 0.15 mag. The B-band light curve exhibits a fast postpeak decline with Δm 15(B) = 1.86 ± 0.05 mag. All the R- and I/i-band light curves show a weak secondary peak/shoulder feature at about 3 weeks after the peak, like some transitional subclass of SNe Ia, which could result from an incomplete merger of near-infrared (NIR) double peaks. The spectra are characterized by Ti ii and strong Si ii λ5972 absorption features that are usually seen in low-luminosity objects like SN 1999by. The NIR spectrum before maximum light reveals weak carbon absorption features, implying the existence of unburned materials. We compare the observed properties of SN 2012ij with those predicted by the sub-Chandrasekhar-mass and the Chandrasekhar-mass delayed-detonation models and find that both optical and NIR spectral properties can be explained to some extent by these two models. By comparing the secondary maximum features in the I and i bands, we suggest that SN 2012ij is a transitional object linking normal SNe Ia to typical 91bg-like ones. From the published sample of SNe Ia from the Carnegie Supernova Project II, we estimate that the fraction of SN 2012ij–like SNe Ia is not lower than ∼2%.

Optical and Near-infrared Observations of the Nearby SN Ia 2017cbv

Abstract Supernova (SN) 2017cbv in NGC 5643 is one of a handful of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) reported to have excess blue emission at early times. This paper presents extensive BVRIYJHK s -band light curves of SN 2017cbv, covering the phase from −16 to +125 days relative to B-band maximum light. The SN 2017cbv reached a B-band maximum of 11.710 ± 0.006 mag, with a postmaximum magnitude decline of Δm 15(B) = 0.990 ± 0.013 mag. The SN suffered no host reddening based on Phillips intrinsic color, the Lira–Phillips relation, and the CMAGIC diagram. By employing the CMAGIC distance modulus μ = 30.58 ± 0.05 mag and assuming H 0 = 72 km s−1 Mpc−1, we found that 0.73 M ⊙ 56Ni was synthesized during the explosion of SN 2017cbv, which is consistent with estimates using reddening- and distance-free methods via the phases of the secondary maximum of the near-IR- (NIR-) band light curves. We also present 14 NIR spectra from −18 to +49 days relative to the B-band maximum light, providing constraints on the amount of swept-up hydrogen from the companion star in the context of the single degenerate progenitor scenario. No Paβ emission feature was detected from our postmaximum NIR spectra, placing a hydrogen mass upper limit of 0.1 M ⊙. The overall optical/NIR photometric and NIR spectral evolution of SN 2017cbv is similar to that of a normal SN Ia, even though its early evolution is marked by a flux excess not seen in most other well-observed normal SNe Ia. We also compare the exquisite light curves of SN 2017cbv with some M ch delayed detonation models and sub-M ch double detonation models.

The Young and Nearby Normal Type Ia Supernova 2018gv: UV-optical Observations and the Earliest Spectropolarimetry

Abstract The nondetection of companion stars in SN Ia progenitor systems lends support to the notion of double-degenerate systems and explosions triggered by the merging of two white dwarfs. This very asymmetric process should lead to a conspicuous polarimetric signature. By contrast, observations consistently find very low continuum polarization as the signatures from the explosion process largely dominate over the pre-explosion configuration within several days. Critical information about the interaction of the ejecta with a companion and any circumstellar matter is encoded in the early polarization spectra. In this study, we obtain spectropolarimetry of SN 2018gv with the ESO Very Large Telescope at −13.6 days relative to the B-band maximum light, or ∼5 days after the estimated explosion—the earliest spectropolarimetric observations to date of any SN Ia. These early observations still show a low continuum polarization (≲0.2%) and moderate line polarization (0.30% ± 0.04% for the prominent Si ii λ6355 feature and 0.85% ± 0.04% for the high-velocity Ca component). The high degree of spherical symmetry implied by the low-line and continuum polarization at this early epoch is consistent with explosion models of delayed detonations and is inconsistent with the merger-induced explosion scenario. The dense UV and optical photometry and optical spectroscopy within the first ∼100 days after the maximum light indicate that SN 2018gv is a normal SN Ia with similar spectrophotometric behavior to SN 2011fe.

Constraining the Source of the High-velocity Ejecta in Type Ia SN 2019ein

Abstract We present multiwavelength photometric and spectroscopic observations of SN 2019ein, a high-velocity Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) discovered in the nearby galaxy NGC 5353 with a two-day nondetection limit. SN 2019ein exhibited some of the highest measured expansion velocities of any SN Ia, with a Si ii absorption minimum blueshifted by 24,000 km s−1 at 14 days before peak brightness. More unusually, we observed the emission components of the P Cygni profiles to be blueshifted upward of 10,000 km s−1 before B-band maximum light. This blueshift, among the highest in a sample of 28 other SNe Ia, is greatest at our earliest spectroscopic epoch and subsequently decreases toward maximum light. We discuss possible progenitor systems and explosion mechanisms that could explain these extreme absorption and emission velocities. Radio observations beginning 14 days before B-band maximum light yield nondetections at the position of SN 2019ein, which rules out symbiotic progenitor systems, most models of fast optically thick accretion winds, and optically thin shells of mass at radii . Comparing our spectra to models and observations of other high-velocity SNe Ia, we find that SN 2019ein is well fit by a delayed-detonation explosion. We propose that the high emission velocities may be the result of abundance enhancements due to ejecta mixing in an asymmetric explosion, or optical depth effects in the photosphere of the ejecta at early times. These findings may provide evidence for common explosion mechanisms and ejecta geometries among high-velocity SNe Ia.

Testing the relativistic Doppler boost hypothesis for the binary candidate quasar PG1302-102 with multiband Swift data

ABSTRACT The bright quasar PG1302-102 has been identified as a candidate supermassive black hole binary from its near-sinusoidal optical variability. While the significance of its optical periodicity has been debated due to the stochastic variability of quasars, its multiwavelength variability in the ultraviolet (UV) and optical bands is consistent with relativistic Doppler boost caused by the orbital motion in a binary. However, this conclusion was based previously on sparse UV data that were not taken simultaneously with the optical data. Here, we report simultaneous follow-up observations of PG1302-102 with the Ultraviolet Optical Telescope on the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory in six optical + UV bands. The additional nine Swift observations produce light curves roughly consistent with the trend under the Doppler boost hypothesis, which predicts that UV variability should track the optical, but with a ∼2.2 times higher amplitude. We perform a statistical analysis to quantitatively test this hypothesis. We find that the data are consistent with the Doppler boost hypothesis when we compare the the amplitudes in optical B-band and UV light curves. However, the ratio of UV to V-band variability is larger than expected and is consistent with the Doppler model, only if either the UV/optical spectral slopes vary, the stochastic variability makes a large contribution in the UV, or the sparse new optical data underestimate the true optical variability. We have evidence for the latter from comparison with the optical light curve from All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae. Additionally, the simultaneous analysis of all four bands strongly disfavours the Doppler boost model whenever Swift V band is involved. Additional, simultaneous optical + UV observations tracing out another cycle of the 5.2-yr proposed periodicity should lead to a definitive conclusion.

SN 2010kd: Photometric and Spectroscopic Analysis of a Slow-decaying Superluminous Supernova

Abstract This paper presents data and analysis of SN 2010kd, a low-redshift (z = 0.101) H-deficient superluminous supernova (SLSN), based on ultraviolet/optical photometry and optical spectroscopy spanning between −28 and +194 days relative to B-band maximum light. The B-band light-curve comparison of SN 2010kd with a subset of well-studied SLSNe I at comparable redshifts indicates that it is a slow-decaying PTF12dam-like SLSN. Analytical light-curve modeling using the Minim code suggests that the bolometric light curve of SN 2010kd favors circumstellar matter interaction for the powering mechanism. SYNAPPS modeling of the early-phase spectra does not identify broad H or He lines, whereas the photospheric-phase spectra are dominated by O i, O ii, C ii, C iv, and Si ii, in particular the presence of both low- and high-velocity components of O ii and Si ii lines. The nebular-phase spectra of SN 2010kd are dominated by O i and Ca ii emission lines similar to those seen in other SLSNe I. The line velocities in SN 2010kd exhibit flatter evolution curves similar to SN 2015bn but with comparatively higher values. SN 2010kd shows a higher single-zone local thermodynamic equilibrium temperature in comparison to PTF12dam and SN 2015bn, and it has an upper O i ejected mass limit of ∼10 M ⊙. The host of SN 2010kd is a dwarf galaxy with a high star formation rate (∼0.18 ± 0.04 M ⊙ yr−1) and extreme emission lines.

The Carnegie Supernova Project II

Supernova LSQ13abf was discovered soon after explosion by the La Silla-QUEST Survey and then followed by the Carnegie Supernova Project II at its optical and near-IR wavelengths. Our analysis indicates that LSQ13abf was discovered within two days of explosion and its first ≈10 days of evolution reveal a B-band light curve with an abrupt drop in luminosity. Contemporaneously, the V-band light curve exhibits a rise towards a first peak and the r- and i-band light curves show no early peak. The early light-curve evolution of LSQ13abf is reminiscent of the post-explosion cooling phase observed in the Type Ib SN 2008D, and the similarity between the two objects extends over weeks. Spectroscopically, LSQ13abf also resembles SN 2008D, with P Cygni He I features that strengthen over several weeks. Spectral energy distributions are constructed from the broad-bandphotometry, a UVOIR light curve is constructed by fitting black-body (BB) functions, and the underlying BB-temperature and BB-radius profiles are estimated. Explosion parameters are estimated by simultaneously fitting an Arnett model to the UVOIR light curve and the velocity evolution derived from spectral features, and an in addition to a post-shock breakout cooling model to the first two epochs of the bolometric evolution. This combined model suggests an explosion energy of 1.27 ± 0.23 × 1051 ergs, in addition to a relatively high ejecta mass of 5.94 ± 1.10 M⊙, a 56Ni mass of 0.16 ± 0.02 M⊙, and a progenitor-star radius of 28.0 ± 7.5 R⊙. The ejecta mass suggests the origins of LSQ13abf lie with a > 25 M⊙ zero-age-main-sequence mass progenitor and its estimated radius is three times larger compared to the result obtained from the same analysis applied to observations of SN 2008D, and nine times larger compared to SN 1999ex. Alternatively, a comparison of hydrodynamical simulations of ≳20−25 M⊙ zero-age-main-sequence progenitors that evolve to pre-supernova envelope masses of ≲10 M⊙ and extended (∼100 R⊙) envelopes also broadly match the observations of LSQ13abf.

Lick Observatory Supernova Search follow-up program: photometry data release of 93 Type Ia supernovae

ABSTRACT We present BVRI and unfiltered light curves of 93 Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) from the Lick Observatory Supernova Search (LOSS) follow-up program conducted between 2005 and 2018. Our sample consists of 78 spectroscopically normal SNe Ia, with the remainder divided between distinct subclasses (3 SN 1991bg-like, 3 SN 1991T-like, 4 SNe Iax, 2 peculiar, and 3 super-Chandrasekhar events), and has a median redshift of 0.0192. The SNe in our sample have a median coverage of 16 photometric epochs at a cadence of 5.4 d, and the median first observed epoch is ∼4.6 d before maximum B-band light. We describe how the SNe in our sample are discovered, observed, and processed, and we compare the results from our newly developed automated photometry pipeline to those from the previous processing pipeline used by LOSS. After investigating potential biases, we derive a final systematic uncertainty of 0.03 mag in BVRI for our data set. We perform an analysis of our light curves with particular focus on using template fitting to measure the parameters that are useful in standardizing SNe Ia as distance indicators. All of the data are available to the community, and we encourage future studies to incorporate our light curves in their analyses.

Color analysis based on the color indices of lightning channels obtained from a digital photograph

In this study, we present an analysis using the color indices B-G,B-R, and G-R of lightning channels obtained from a digital photograph. We used color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs) modified from the traditional CMDs employed in astronomical photometry, (B-G) versus (G-R) color-color diagrams (CCDs), two-dimensional (2D) color-index images for the color indices B-G,B-R, and G-R, and a 2D brightness image to analyze the colors and brightness of the lightning channels. The CMDs and CCDs for the lightning leader channels showed that the intensity of B-band and R-band light from those channels exceeds that of the G-band light. The 2D color-index images for B-G,B-R, and G-R and the 2D brightness image indicate spatial variations in the lightning channels. The spatial variabilities of the 2D color indices and 2D brightness indicate that the intensity of the B-band light exceeds that of the G- and R-band light around a bright channel with a high electric current (i.e., the plasma is highly ionized).

Late-time Observations of the Type Ia Supernova SN 2014J with the Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera 3

Abstract Recent works have studied the late-time light curves of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) when these were older than 500 days past B-band maximum light. Of these, SN 2014J, which exploded in the nearby galaxy M82, was studied with the Advanced Camera for Surveys onboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) by Yang et al. Here, I report complementary photometry of SN 2014J taken with the HST Wide Field Camera 3 when it was ∼360–1300 days old. My F555W measurements are consistent with the F606W measurements of Yang et al., but the F438W measurements are ∼1 mag fainter than their F475W measurements. I corroborate their finding that, even though SN 2014J has spatially resolved light echoes, its photometry is not contaminated by an unresolved echo. Finally, I compare the F438W and F555W light curves of SN 2014J to those of the other late-time SNe Ia observed to date and show that more intrinsically luminous SNe have slower light curve decline rates. This is consistent with the correlation claimed by Graur et al., which was based on a comparison of pseudo-bolometric light curves. By conducting a direct comparison of the late-time light curves in the same filters, I remove any systematic uncertainties introduced by the assumptions that go into constructing the pseudo-bolometric light curves, thus strengthening the Graur et al. claim.

SN 2014J in M82: new insights on the spectral diversity of Type Ia supernovae

ABSTRACT We present extensive spectroscopic observations for one of the closest Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), SN 2014J discovered in M82, ranging from 10.4 d before to 473.2 d after B-band maximum light. The diffuse interstellar band features detected in a high-resolution spectrum allow an estimate of line-of-sight extinction as Av ∼ 1.9 ± 0.6 mag. Spectroscopically, SN 2014J can be put into the high-velocity (HV) subgroup in Wang’s classification with a velocity of Si ii λ 6355 at maximum light of $v$0 = 1.22 ± 0.01 × 104 km s−1 but has a low velocity gradient (LVG, following Benetti’s classification) of $\dot{v}=41\pm 2$ km s−1 d−1, which is inconsistent with the trend that HV SNe Ia generally have larger velocity gradients. We find that the HV SNe Ia with LVGs tend to have relatively stronger Si iii (at ∼4400 Å) absorptions in early spectra, larger ratios of S ii λ 5468 to S ii λ 5640, and weaker Si ii 5972 absorptions compared to their counterparts with similar velocities but high velocity gradients. This shows that the HV+LVG subgroup of SNe Ia may have intrinsically higher photospheric temperature, which indicates that their progenitors may experience more complete burning in the explosions relative to the typical HV SNe Ia.

An Empirical Fitting Method to Type Ia Supernova Light Curves. III. A Three-parameter Relationship: Peak Magnitude, Rise Time, and Photospheric Velocity

Abstract We examine the relationship between three parameters of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia): peak magnitude, rise time, and photospheric velocity at the time of peak brightness. The peak magnitude is corrected for extinction using an estimate determined from MLCS2k2 fitting. The rise time is measured from the well-observed B-band light curve with the first detection at least 1 mag fainter than the peak magnitude, and the photospheric velocity is measured from the strong absorption feature of Si ii λ6355 at the time of peak brightness. We model the relationship among these three parameters using an expanding fireball with two assumptions: (a) the optical emission is approximately that of a blackbody, and (b) the photospheric temperatures of all SNe Ia are the same at the time of peak brightness. We compare the precision of the distance residuals inferred using this physically motivated model against those from the empirical Phillips relation and the MLCS2k2 method for 47 low-redshift SNe Ia (0.005 < z < 0.04) and find comparable scatter. However, SNe Ia in our sample with higher velocities are inferred to be intrinsically fainter. Eliminating the high-velocity SNe and applying a more stringent extinction cut to obtain a “low-v golden sample” of 22 SNe, we obtain significantly reduced scatter of 0.108 ± 0.018 mag in the new relation, better than those of the Phillips relation and the MLCS2k2 method. For 250 km s−1 of residual peculiar motions, we find 68% and 95% upper limits on the intrinsic scatter of 0.07 and 0.10 mag, respectively.

Simulating galaxies in the reionization era with FIRE-2: morphologies and sizes

We study the morphologies and sizes of galaxies at z>5 using high-resolution cosmological zoom-in simulations from the Feedback In Realistic Environments project. The galaxies show a variety of morphologies, from compact to clumpy to irregular. The simulated galaxies have more extended morphologies and larger sizes when measured using rest-frame optical B-band light than rest-frame UV light; sizes measured from stellar mass surface density are even larger. The UV morphologies are usually dominated by several small, bright young stellar clumps that are not always associated with significant stellar mass. The B-band light traces stellar mass better than the UV, but it can also be biased by the bright clumps. At all redshifts, galaxy size correlates with stellar mass/luminosity with large scatter. The half-light radii range from 0.01 to 0.2 arcsec (0.05-1 kpc physical) at fixed magnitude. At z>5, the size of galaxies at fixed stellar mass/luminosity evolves as (1+z)^{-m}, with m~1-2. For galaxies less massive than M_star~10^8 M_sun, the ratio of the half-mass radius to the halo virial radius is ~10% and does not evolve significantly at z=5-10; this ratio is typically 1-5% for more massive galaxies. A galaxy's "observed" size decreases dramatically at shallower surface brightness limits. This effect may account for the extremely small sizes of z>5 galaxies measured in the Hubble Frontier Fields. We provide predictions for the cumulative light distribution as a function of surface brightness for typical galaxies at z=6.

Late-time Flattening of Type Ia Supernova Light Curves: Constraints from SN 2014J in M82

Abstract The very nearby Type Ia supernova 2014J in M82 offers a rare opportunity to study the physics of thermonuclear supernovae at extremely late phases (≳800 days). Using the Hubble Space Telescope, we obtained 6 epochs of high-precision photometry for SN 2014J from 277 days to 1181 days past the B-band maximum light. The reprocessing of electrons and X-rays emitted by the radioactive decay chain is needed to explain the significant flattening of both the F606W-band and the pseudo-bolometric light curves. The flattening confirms previous predictions that the late-time evolution of type Ia supernova luminosities requires additional energy input from the decay of 57Co. By assuming the F606W-band luminosity scales with the bolometric luminosity at ∼500 days after the B-band maximum light, a mass ratio is required. This mass ratio is roughly ∼3 times the solar ratio and favors a progenitor white dwarf with a mass near the Chandrasekhar limit. A similar fit using the constructed pseudo-bolometric luminosity gives a mass ratio . Astrometric tests based on the multi-epoch HST ACS/WFC images reveal no significant circumstellar light echoes in between 0.3 and 100 pc from the supernova.

Whimper of a Bang: Documenting the Final Days of the Nearby Type Ia Supernova 2011fe

Abstract Using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and the Large Binocular Telescope, we followed the evolution of the Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) 2011fe for an unprecedented 1840 days past B-band maximum light and over a factor of 7 million in flux. At 1840 days, the 4000 – 17000 Å quasi-bolometric luminosity is just ( 420 ± 20 ) L ⊙ . By measuring the late-time quasi-bolometric light curve, we present the first confident detection of 57Co decay in a SN Ia light curve and estimate a mass ratio of log ( 57 Co / 56 Co ) = − 1.59 − 0.07 + 0.06 . We do not have a clean detection of 55 Fe , but find a limit of 55 Fe / 57 Co < 0.22 with 99% confidence. These abundance ratios provide unique constraints on the progenitor system because the central density of the exploding white dwarf(s) dictates these nucleosynthetic yields. The observed ratios strongly prefer the lower central densities of double-degenerate models ( 55 Fe / 57 Co = 0.27 ) over the higher central densities of near-Chandrasekhar-mass single-degenerate models ( 55 Fe / 57 Co = 0.68 ). However, additional theoretical studies predicting isotopic yields from a broader range of progenitor systems are motivated by these unique observations. We will continue to observe SN 2011fe for another ∼600 days with HST and possibly beyond.

SOAR observations of the high-viscosity accretion disc of the dwarf nova V4140 Sagitarii in quiescence and in outburst

We report the analysis of 22 B-band light curves of the dwarf nova V4140 Sgr obtained with SOI/SOAR during two nights along the decline of a superoutburst in 2006 Sep 12-24 and in quiescence over 50 days following the superoutburst. Three-dimensional eclipse mapping of the outburst light curves indicates that the accretion disc is elliptical (eccentricity e=0.13) and that superhump maximum occurs when the mass donor star is aligned with the bulge of the elliptical disc. The accretion disc is geometrically thin both in outburst and in quiescence; it fills the primary Roche lobe in outburst and shrinks to about half this size in quiescence. The stability of the eclipse shape, width and depth along quiescence and the derived disc surface brightness distribution indicate that the quiescent accretion disc is in a high-viscosity, steady-state. Flickering mapping of the quiescent data reveal that the low-frequency flickering arises from an azimuthally-extended stream-disc impact region at disc rim and from the innermost disc region, whereas the high-frequency flickering originates in the accretion disc. Assuming the disc-related flickering to be caused by fluctuations in the energy dissipation rate induced by magneto-hydrodynamic turbulence (Gertseema & Achterberg 1992), we find that the quiescent disc viscosity parameter is large (alpha ~ 0.2-0.4) at all radii. The high-viscosity quiescent disc and the inferred low disc temperatures in superoutburst are inconsistent with expectations of the disc-instability model, and lead to the conclusion that the outbursts of V4140 Sgr are powered by mass transfer bursts from its donor star.

X-RAY AND OPTICAL CORRELATION OF TYPE I SEYFERT NGC 3516 STUDIED WITH SUZAKU AND JAPANESE GROUND-BASED TELESCOPES

ABSTRACT From 2013 April to 2014 April, we performed X-ray and optical simultaneous monitoring of the type 1.5 Seyfert galaxy NGC 3516. We employed Suzaku and five Japanese ground-based telescopes—the Pirka, Kiso Schmidt, Nayuta, MITSuME, and the Kanata telescopes. The Suzaku observations were conducted seven times with various intervals ranging from days or weeks to months, with an exposure of ∼50 ks each. The optical B-band observations not only covered those of Suzaku almost simultaneously, but also followed the source as frequently as possible. As a result, NGC 3516 was found in its faint phase with a 2–10 keV flux of 0.21–2.70 × 10−11 erg s−1 cm−2. The 2–45 keV X-ray spectra were composed of a dominant variable hard power-law (PL) continuum with a photon index of ∼1.7 and a non-relativistic reflection component with a prominent Fe–Kα emission line. Producing the B-band light curve by differential image photometry, we found that the B-band flux changed by ∼2.7 × 10−11 erg s−1 cm−2, which is comparable to the X-ray variation, and we detected a significant flux correlation between the hard PL component in X-rays and the B-band radiation, for the first time in NGC 3516. By examining their correlation, we found that the X-ray flux preceded that in the B band by days (1σ error). Although this result supports the X-ray reprocessing model, the derived lag is too large to be explained by the standard view, which assumes a “lamppost”-type X-ray illuminator located near a standard accretion disk. Our results are better explained by assuming a hot accretion flow and a truncated disk.

POST-MAXIMUM NEAR-INFRARED SPECTRA OF SN 2014J: A SEARCH FOR INTERACTION SIGNATURES*

ABSTRACT We present near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic and photometric observations of the nearby Type Ia SN 2014J. The 17 NIR spectra span epochs from +15.3 to +92.5 days after B-band maximum light, while the JHK s photometry include epochs from −10 to +71 days. These data are used to constrain the progenitor system of SN 2014J utilizing the Paβ line, following recent suggestions that this phase period and the NIR in particular are excellent for constraining the amount of swept-up hydrogen-rich material associated with a non-degenerate companion star. We find no evidence for Paβ emission lines in our post-maximum spectra, with a rough hydrogen mass limit of ≲ 0.1 M ⊙, which is consistent with previous limits in SN 2014J from late-time optical spectra of the Hα line. Nonetheless, the growing data set of high-quality NIR spectra holds the promise of very useful hydrogen constraints.