Core-degenerate Scenario Research Articles

Supernovae in 2023 (review): possible breakthroughs by late observations

I present a review of how late observations of supernovae, of the nebular phase, and much later of supernova remnants (SNRs), and their analysis in 2023 made progress towards possible breakthroughs in supporting the jittering jets explosion mechanism (JJEM) for core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) and in introducing the group of lonely white dwarf (WD) scenarios for type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). The new analyses of CCSN remnants (CCSNRs) reveal point-symmetric morphologies in a way unnoticed before in several CCSNRs. Qualitative comparison to multipolar planetary nebulae that are shaped by jets suggests that jets exploded these CCSNe, as predicted by the JJEM, but incompatible with the prediction of the delayed neutrino explosion mechanism. The spherical morphology of the ejecta Pa 30 of the historical type Iax supernova (SN Iax) of 1181 AD, which studies in 2023 revealed, is mostly compatible with the explosion of a lonely WD. Namely, at the explosion time, there is only a WD, without any close companion, although the WD was formed via a close binary interaction, i.e., binary merger. Identifying point-symmetry in SNR G1.9+0.3, a normal SN Ia and the youngest SN in the Galaxy, suggests an SN explosion of a lonely WD inside a planetary nebula (an SNIP). The group of lonely WD scenarios includes the core degenerate scenario and the double degenerate scenario with a merger to explosion delay (MED) time. SN Ia explosions of lonely WDs are common and might actually account for most (or even all) normal SNe Ia.

Point-symmetry in SNR G1.9+0.3: A Supernova that Destroyed its Planetary Nebula Progenitor

I analyze a new X-ray image of the youngest supernova remnant (SNR) in the Galaxy, which is the type Ia SNR G1.9+0.3, and reveal a very clear point-symmetrical structure. Since explosion models of type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) do not form such morphologies, the point-symmetrical morphology must come from the circumstellar material (CSM) into which the ejecta expands. The large-scale point-symmetry that I identify and the known substantial deceleration of the ejecta of SNR G1.9+0.3 suggest a relatively massive CSM of ≳1M ⊙. I argue that the most likely explanation is the explosion of this SN Ia into a planetary nebula. The scenario that predicts a large fraction of SN Ia inside PNe (SNIPs) is the core degenerate scenario. Other SN Ia scenarios might lead to only a very small fraction of SNIPs or none at all.

The core degenerate scenario for the type Ia supernova SN 2020eyj

ABSTRACT We argue that the core-degenerate (CD) scenario of type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) can explain the compact helium-rich circumstellar material (CSM) of SN 2020eyj. In the new channel of the CD scenario, we propose that there are two major common envelope evolution (CEE) phases. After the white dwarf (WD) companion removes the hydrogen-rich envelope of the asymptotic giant branch star, its spiralling-in halts at few solar radii from the core rather than continuing to the carbon oxygen (CO) core as in the hydrogen-rich SNe Ia-CSM CD scenario. Only hundreds to tens of thousands of years later, after the helium-rich core expands, does the WD enters a CEE with the helium-rich layer. By that time, the hydrogen-rich envelope is at a large distance from the centre. The WD merges with the CO core during the second CEE phase, and only after a merger to explosion delay (MED) time of weeks to tens of years, the merger remnant explodes. The SN Ia ejecta collides with a helium-rich CSM at tens to hundreds of AU. We follow the evolution of two stellar models with initial masses of 5M⊙ and 7M⊙ to their asymptotic giant branch phase when they are supposed to engulf the WD companion. We find that there is a sufficiently massive CO core to merge with the WD in the frame of the CD scenario as well as a massive helium-rich layer, ≃ 0.3–1M⊙, to account for the helium-rich CSM of SN 2020eyj.

SN 2020uem: a Possible Thermonuclear Explosion within a Dense Circumstellar Medium (II). The Properties of the CSM from Polarimetry and Light-curve Modeling

Type IIn/Ia-CSM supernovae (SNe IIn/Ia-CSM) are classified by their characteristic spectra, which exhibit narrow hydrogen emission lines originating from strong interaction with a circumstellar medium (CSM) together with broad lines of intermediate-mass elements. We performed intensive follow-up observations of SN IIn/Ia-CSM 2020uem, including photometry, spectroscopy, and polarimetry. In this paper, we focus on the results of polarimetry. We performed imaging polarimetry at 66 days and spectropolarimetry at 103 days after discovery. SN 2020uem shows a high continuum polarization of 1.0%–1.5% without wavelength dependence. Besides, the polarization degree and position angle keep roughly constant. These results suggest that SN 2020uem is powered by strong interaction with a confined and aspherical CSM. We performed simple polarization modeling, based on which we suggest that SN 2020uem has an equatorial-disk/torus CSM. Besides, we performed semi-analytic light-curve modeling and estimated the CSM mass. We revealed that the mass-loss rate in the final few hundred years immediately before the explosion of SN 2020uem is in the range of 0.01–0.05 M ⊙ yr−1, and that the total CSM mass is 0.5–4 M ⊙. The CSM mass can be accommodated by not only a red supergiant (RSG), but also by a red giant (RG) or an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star. As a possible progenitor scenario of SN 2020uem, we propose a white dwarf binary system including an RG, RSG, or AGB star, especially a merger scenario via common envelope evolution, i.e., the core-degenerate scenario or a variant.

Pre-explosion Helium Shell Flash in Type Ia Supernovae

I study the possibility that within the frame of the core degenerate (CD) scenario for type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) the merger process of the core of the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star and the white dwarf (WD) maintains an envelope mass of ≈0.03 M ⊙ that causes a later helium shell flash. I estimate the number of pre-explosion helium shell flash events to be less than a few per cent of all CD scenario SNe Ia. A helium shell flash while the star moves to the left on the HR diagram as a post-AGB star (late thermal pulse—LTP) or along the WD cooling track (very LTP—VLTP) causes the star to expand and become a “born again” AGB star. Merger remnants exploding while still on the AGB form hydrogen-polluted peculiar SNe Ia, while an explosion inside an inflated born-again star results in an early flux excess in the light curve of the SN Ia. The fraction of systems that might show an early flux excess due to LTP/VLTP is <few × 10−4 of all SNe Ia, much below the observed fraction. In the frame of the CD scenario SNe Ia with early flux excess result from SN ejecta collision with planetary nebula fallback gas, or from mixing of 56Ni to the outer regions of the SN ejecta. Ongoing sky surveys might find about one case per year where LTP/VLTP influences the SN light curve.

Common Envelope to Explosion Delay time Distribution (CEEDTD) of Type Ia Supernovae

I use recent observations of circumstellar matter (CSM) around type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) to estimate the fraction of SNe Ia that explode into a planetary nebula (PN) and to suggest a new delay time distribution from the common envelope evolution (CEE) to the SN Ia explosion for SNe Ia that occur shortly after the CEE. Under the assumption that the CSM results from a CEE, I crudely estimate that about 50% of all SNe Ia are SNe Ia inside PNe (SNIPs), and that the explosions of most SNIPs occur within a CEE to explosion delay (CEED) time of less than about ten thousand years. I also estimate that the explosion rate of SNIPs, i.e., the CEED time distribution, is roughly constant within this timescale of ten thousand years. The short CEED time suggests that a fraction of SNIPs come from the core-degenerate (CD) scenario where the merger of the core with the white dwarf takes place at the end of the CEE. I present my view that the majority of SNIPs come from the CD scenario. I list some further observations that might support or reject my claims, and describe the challenge to theoretical studies to find a process to explain a merger to explosion delay (MED) time of up to ten thousand years or so. A long MED will apply also to the double degenerate scenario.

Carnegie Supernova Project: The First Homogeneous Sample of Super-Chandrasekhar-mass/2003fg-like Type Ia Supernovae

Abstract We present a multiwavelength photometric and spectroscopic analysis of 13 super-Chandrasekhar-mass/2003fg-like Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). Nine of these objects were observed by the Carnegie Supernova Project. The 2003fg-like SNe have slowly declining light curves (Δm 15(B) &lt; 1.3 mag), and peak absolute B-band magnitudes of −19 &lt; M B &lt; −21 mag. Many of the 2003fg-like SNe are located in the same part of the luminosity–width relation as normal SNe Ia. In the optical B and V bands, the 2003fg-like SNe look like normal SNe Ia, but at redder wavelengths they diverge. Unlike other luminous SNe Ia, the 2003fg-like SNe generally have only one i-band maximum, which peaks after the epoch of the B-band maximum, while their near-IR (NIR) light-curve rise times can be ≳40 days longer than those of normal SNe Ia. They are also at least 1 mag brighter in the NIR bands than normal SNe Ia, peaking above M H = −19 mag, and generally have negative Hubble residuals, which may be the cause of some systematics in dark-energy experiments. Spectroscopically, the 2003fg-like SNe exhibit peculiarities such as unburnt carbon well past maximum light, a large spread (8000–12,000 km s−1) in Si ii λ6355 velocities at maximum light with no rapid early velocity decline, and no clear H-band break at +10 days. We find that SNe with a larger pseudo-equivalent width of C ii at maximum light have lower Si ii λ6355 velocities and more slowly declining light curves. There are also multiple factors that contribute to the peak luminosity of 2003fg-like SNe. The explosion of a C–O degenerate core inside a carbon-rich envelope is consistent with these observations. Such a configuration may come from the core-degenerate scenario.

Carnegie Supernova Project II: The Slowest Rising Type Ia Supernova LSQ14fmg and Clues to the Origin of Super-Chandrasekhar/03fg-like Events*

Abstract The Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) LSQ14fmg exhibits exaggerated properties that may help to reveal the origin of the “super-Chandrasekhar” (or 03fg-like) group. The optical spectrum is typical of a 03fg-like SN Ia, but the light curves are unlike those of any SNe Ia observed. The light curves of LSQ14fmg rise extremely slowly. At −23 rest-frame days relative to B-band maximum, LSQ14fmg is already brighter than mag before host extinction correction. The observed color curves show a flat evolution from the earliest observation to approximately 1 week after maximum. The near-infrared light curves peak brighter than −20.5 mag in the J and H bands, far more luminous than any 03fg-like SNe Ia with near-infrared observations. At 1 month past maximum, the optical light curves decline rapidly. The early, slow rise and flat color evolution are interpreted to result from an additional excess flux from a power source other than the radioactive decay of the synthesized 56Ni. The excess flux matches the interaction with a typical superwind of an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star in density structure, mass-loss rate, and duration. The rapid decline starting at around 1 month past B-band maximum may be an indication of rapid cooling by active carbon monoxide (CO) formation, which requires a low-temperature and high-density environment. These peculiarities point to an AGB progenitor near the end of its evolution and the core degenerate scenario as the likely explosion mechanism for LSQ14fmg.

Common envelope to explosion delay time of Type Ia supernovae

ABSTRACT I study the rate of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) within about a million years after the assumed common envelope evolution (CEE) that forms the progenitors of these SNe Ia, and find that the population of SNe Ia with short CEE to explosion delay (CEED) time is ≈few × 0.1 of all SNe Ia. I also claim for an expression for the rate of these SNe Ia that occur at short times after the CEE ($t_{\rm CEED} \lesssim 10^6 {~\rm yr}$), which is different from that of the delay time distribution (DTD) billions of years after star formation. This tentatively hints that the physical processes that determine the short CEED time distribution (CEEDTD) are different (at least to some extent) from those that determine the DTD at billions of years. To reach these conclusions I examine SNe Ia that interact with a circumstellar matter (CSM) within months after explosion, so-called SNe Ia-CSM, and the rate of SNe Ia that on a time-scale of tens to hundreds of years interact with a CSM that might have been a planetary nebula, so-called SNe Ia inside a planetary nebula (SNIPs). I assume that the CSM in these populations results from a CEE, and hence this study is relevant mainly to the core-degenerate (CD) scenario, the double-degenerate (DD) scenario, the double-detonation (DDet) scenario with white dwarf companions, and to the CEE-wind channel of the single-degenerate (SD) scenario.

The class of supernova progenitors that result from fatal common envelope evolution

I construct the class of supernovae and supernova progenitors that result from fatal common envelope evolution (CEE). The fatal CEE progenitors are stellar binary systems where a companion spirals-in inside the envelope of a giant star and merges with the core. The companion can be a neutron star (NS; or a black hole) that destroys the core and by that forms a common envelope jets supernova (CEJSN), a white dwarf (WD) that merges with the core to form a massive WD that later might explode as a Type Ia supernova (the core degenerate scenario), or a main sequence companion. In the latter case the outcome might be a core collapse supernova (CCSN) of a blue giant, a CCSN of type IIb or of type Ib. In another member of this class two giant stars merge and the two cores spiral-in toward each other to form a massive core that later explodes as a CCSN with a massive circumstellar matter (CSM). I discuss the members of this class, their characteristics, and their common properties. I find that fatal CEE events account for $\\approx$$6%$-$10%$ of all CCSNe, and raise the possibility that a large fraction of peculiar and rare supernovae result from the fatal CEE. The study of these supernova progenitors as a class will bring insights on other types of supernova progenitors, as well as on the outcome of the CEE.

Possible white dwarf progenitors of Type Ia supernovae

We examine catalogs of white dwarfs (WDs) and find that there are sufficient number of massive WDs, M_WD > 1.35Mo, that might potentially explode as type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) in the frame of the core degenerate scenario. In the core degenerate scenario a WD merges with the carbon-oxygen core of a giant star, and they form a massive WD that might explode with a time delay of years to billions of years. If the core degenerate scenario accounts for all SNe Ia, then we calculate that about 0.2 per cent of the present WDs in the Galaxy are massive. Furthermore, we find from the catalogs that the fraction of massive WDs relative to all WDs is about 1-3 per cent, with large uncertainties. Namely, five to ten times the required number. If there are many SNe Ia that result from lower mass WDs, M_WD < 1.3Mo, for which another scenario is responsible for, and the core degenerate scenario accounts only for the SNe Ia that explode as massive WDs, then the ratio of observed massive WDs to required is larger even. Our finding leaves the core degenerate scenario as a viable and promising SN Ia scenario.

Oxygen-neon-rich merger during common envelope evolution

We conduct a population synthesis study of the common envelope evolution (CEE) of a white dwarf (WD) and an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star and find that the potential number of type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) from the core degenerate (CD) and from the double degenerate (DD) scenarios are of the same order of magnitude. For the CD scenario we consider cases where a carbon oxygen rich (CO) AGB core and a CO WD merge during the CEE and leave a WD remnant with a mass of >1.35Mo, and for the DD scenario we count surviving CO WD binary systems that merge within a time of 10 Gyr. When either the AGB core or the WD are oxygen neon rich (ONe) we assume that the outcome might be a peculiar SN Ia. We find that the number of potential peculiar SNe Ia in the channels we study, that do not include peculiar SNe Ia that involve helium WDs or helium donors, is non-negligible, but less than the number of normal SNe Ia. If a SN Ia or a peculiar SN Ia explosion takes place within about million year after CEE, whether in the CD scenario or in the DD scenario, a massive circumstellar matter is present at explosion time. Our results are compatible with the suggestion that Chandrasekhar-mass SNe Ia mostly come from the CD scenario, and sub-Chandrasekhar SNe Ia mostly come from the DD scenario.

WD+AGB star systems as the progenitors of type Ia supernovae

AbstractWD+AGB star systems have been suggested as an alternative way for producing type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), known as the core-degenerate (CD) scenario. In the CD scenario, SNe Ia are produced at the final phase during the evolution of common-envelope through a merger between a carbon-oxygen (CO) WD and the CO core of an AGB secondary. However, the rates of SNe Ia from this scenario are still uncertain. In this work, I carried out a detailed investigation on the CD scenario based on a binary population synthesis approach. I found that the Galactic rates of SNe Ia from this scenario are not more than 20% of total SNe Ia due to more careful treatment of mass transfer, and that their delay times are in the range of ∼90 − 2500 Myr, mainly contributing to the observed SNe Ia with short and intermediate delay times.

No Surviving Companion in Kepler's Supernova

Abstract We have surveyed Kepler’s supernova remnant in search of the companion star of the explosion. We have gone as deep as 2.6 L ⊙ in all stars within 20% of the radius of the remnant. We use FLAMES at the VLT-UT2 telescope to obtain high-resolution spectra of the stellar candidates selected from Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images. The resulting set of stellar parameters suggests that these stars come from a rather ordinary mixture of field stars (mostly giants). A few of the stars seem to have low [Fe/H] (&lt;−1) and they are consistent with being metal-poor giants. The radial velocities and rotational velocities v rot sin i are very well determined. There are no fast rotating stars because v rot sin i &lt; 20 km s−1 for all the candidates. The radial velocities from the spectra and the proper motions determined from HST images are compatible with those expected from the Besançon model of the Galaxy. The strong limits placed on luminosity suggest that this supernova could have arisen either from the core-degenerate scenario or from the double-degenerate scenario.

Supernovae Ia in 2017: a long time delay from merger/accretion to explosion

I use recent observational and theoretical studies of type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) to further constrain the viable SN Ia scenarios and to argue that there must be a substantial time delay between the end of the merger of the white dwarf (WD) with a companion or the end of mass accretion on to the WD and its terminal explosion.This merger/accretion to explosion delay (MED) is required to allow the binary system to lead to a more or less spherical explosion and to prevent a pre-explosion ionizing radiation. Considering these recent results and the required MED, I conclude that the core degenerate scenario is somewhat more favorable over the other scenarios, followed by the double degenerate scenario. Although the single degenerate scenario is viable as well, it is less likely to account for common (normal) SN Ia. As all scenarios require substantial MED, the MED has turned from a disadvantage of the core degenerate scenario to a challenge that theory should overcome. I hope that the requirement for a MED will stimulate the discussion of the different SN Ia scenarios and the comparison of the scenarios to each other.

A minority view on the majority: A personal meeting summary on the explosion mechanism of supernovae

AbstractI present my minority view that the majority (or even all) of core collapse supernovae (CCSNe) are driven by jets rather than by neutrinos, and that the majority of type Ia supernovae (SN Ia) reach their explosion via the core degenerate scenario. New simulations presented at the meeting did not achieve an explosion of CCSNe. I critically examine other arguments that where presented in support of the neutrino-driven model, and present counter arguments that support the jet-driven explosion mechanism. The jets operate via a negative jet feedback mechanism (JFM). The negative feedback mechanism explains the explosion energy being several times the binding energy of the core in most CCSNe. We do not know yet what mechanism explodes massive stars and we do not know yet what evolutionary route leads white dwarfs to explode as SN Ia, and so we must be open to different ideas and critically examine old notions.

The core-degenerate scenario for the progenitors of Type Ia supernovae

The origin of the progenitors of type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) is still uncertain. The core-degenerate (CD) scenario has been proposed as an alternative way for the production of SNe Ia. In this scenario, SNe Ia are formed at the final stage of common-envelope evolution from a merger of a carbon-oxygen white dwarf (CO WD) with the CO core of an asymptotic giant branch companion. However, the birthrates of SNe Ia from this scenario are still not well determined. In this work, we performed a detailed investigation on the CD scenario based on a binary population synthesis approach. The SN Ia delay times from this scenario are basically in the range of 90Myr-2500Myr, mainly contributing to the observed SNe Ia with short and intermediate delay times although this scenario can also produce some old SNe Ia. Meanwhile, our work indicates that the Galactic birthrates of SNe Ia from this scenario are no more than 20% of total SNe Ia due to more careful treatment of mass transfer. Although the SN Ia birthrates in the present work are lower than those in Ilkov & Soker, the CD scenario cannot be ruled out as a viable mechanism for the formation of SNe Ia. Especially, SNe Ia with circumstellar material from this scenario contribute to 0.7-10% of total SNe Ia, which means that the CD scenario can reproduce the observed birthrates of SNe Ia like PTF 11kx. We also found that SNe Ia happen systemically earlier for a high value of metallicity and their birthrates increase with metallicity.

Binary population synthesis for the core-degenerate scenario of type Ia supernova progenitors

The core-degenerate (CD) scenario has been suggested to be a possible progenitor model of type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), in which a carbon-oxygen white dwarf merges with the hot CO core of a massive asymptotic giant branch star during their common-envelope phase. However, the SN Ia birthrates for this scenario are still uncertain. We conducted a detailed investigation into the CD scenario and then gave the birthrates for this scenario using a detailed Monte Carlo binary population synthesis approach. We found that the delay times of SNe Ia from this scenario are ∼70 Myr–1400 Myr, which means that the CD scenario contributes to young SN Ia populations. The Galactic SN Ia birthrates for this scenario are in the range of ∼7.4 × 10−5 yr−1 – 3.7 × 10−4 yr−1, which roughly accounts for ∼2%–10% of all SNe Ia. This indicates that, under the assumptions made here, the CD scenario only contributes a small portion of all SNe Ia, which is not consistent with the results of Ilkov & Soker.

Smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations of the core-degenerate scenario for Type Ia supernovae

The core-degenerate (CD) scenario for type Ia supernovae (SN Ia) involves the merger of the hot core of an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star and a white dwarf, and might contribute a non-negligible fraction of all thermonuclear supernovae. Despite its potential interest, very few studies, and based on only crude simplifications, have been devoted to investigate this possible scenario, compared with the large efforts invested to study some other scenarios. Here we perform the first three-dimensional simulations of the merger phase, and find that this process can lead to the formation of a massive white dwarf, as required by this scenario. We consider two situations, according to the mass of the circumbinary disk formed around the system during the final stages of the common envelope phase. If the disk is massive enough, the stars merge on a highly eccentric orbit. Otherwise, the merger occurs after the circumbinary disk has been ejected and gravitational wave radiation has brought the stars close to the Roche lobe radius on a nearly circular orbit. Not surprisingly, the overall characteristics of the merger remnants are similar to those found for the double-degenerate (DD) scenario, independently of the very different core temperature and of the orbits of the merging stars. They consist of a central massive white dwarf, surrounded by a hot, rapidly rotating corona and a thick debris region.

The circumstellar matter of supernova 2014J and the core-degenerate scenario

I show that the circumstellar matter (CSM) of the type Ia supernova 2014J is too massive and its momentum too large to be accounted for by any but the core-degenerate (CD) scenario for type Ia supernovae. Assuming the absorbing gas is of CSM origin, the several shells responsible of the absorption potassium lines are accounted for by a mass loss episode from a massive asymptotic giant branch star during a common envelope phase with a white dwarf companion. The time-varying potassium lines can be accounted for by ionization of neutral potassium and the Na-from-dust absorption (NaDA) model. Before explosion some of the potassium resides in the gas phase and some in dust. Weakening in absorption strength is caused by potassium-ionizing radiation of the supernova, while release of atomic potassium from dust increases the absorption. I conclude that if the absorbing gas originated from the progenitor of SN 2014J, then a common envelope phase took place about 15,000 years ago, leading to the merging of the core with the white dwarf companion, i.e., the core-degenerate scenario. Else, the absorbing material is of interstellar medium origin.