High Expansion Velocities Research Articles

Expansion and ongoing cosmic ray acceleration in HESS J1731−347

Diffusive shock acceleration in supernova remnants (SNRs) is considered one of the prime mechanisms of galactic cosmic ray (GCR) acceleration. It is still unclear, however, whether SNRs can contribute to the GCR spectrum up to the “knee” (1 PeV) band as acceleration to such energies requires an efficient magnetic field amplification process around the shocks. The presence of such a process is challenging to test observationally. Here, we report on the detection of fast variability in the X-ray synchrotron emission from the forward shock in the SNR HESS J1731−347, which implies the presence of a strong (∼0.2 mG) field exceeding background values, and thus of effective field amplification. We also report a direct measurement of the high forward shock expansion velocity of 4000–5500 km s−1, confirming that the SNR is expanding in a tenuous wind bubble blown by the SNR progenitor, is significantly younger (2.4–9 kyr) than previously assumed by some authors, and only recently started interacting with the dense material outside of the bubble. We finally conclude that there is strong evidence for ongoing hadronic GCR acceleration in this SNR.

Ultraintense few-cycle infrared laser generation by fast-extending plasma grating

Ultraintense short-period infrared laser pulses play an important role in frontier scientific research, but their power is quite low when generated using current technology. This paper demonstrates a scheme for generating an ultraintense few-cycle infrared pulse by directly compressing a long infrared pulse. In this scheme, an infrared picosecond-to-nanosecond laser pulse counterpropagates with a rapidly extending plasma grating that is created by ionizing an undulated gas by a short laser pulse, and the infrared laser pulse is reflected by the rapidly extending plasma grating. Because of the high expansion velocity of the latter, the infrared laser pulse is compressed in the reflection process. One- and two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations show that by this method, a pulse with a duration of tens of picoseconds in the mid- to far-infrared range can be compressed to a few cycles with an efficiency exceeding 60%, thereby making ultraintense few-cycle infrared pulses possible.

Type II supernovae from the Carnegie Supernova Project-I

Type II supernovae (SNe II) show great photometric and spectroscopic diversity which is attributed to the varied physical characteristics of their progenitor and explosion properties. In this study, the third of a series of papers where we analyse a large sample of SNe II observed by the Carnegie Supernova Project-I, we present correlations between their observed and physical properties. Our analysis shows that explosion energy is the physical property that correlates with the highest number of parameters. We recover previously suggested relationships between the hydrogen-rich envelope mass and the plateau duration, and find that more luminous SNe II with higher expansion velocities, faster declining light curves, and higher56Ni masses are consistent with higher energy explosions. In addition, faster declining SNe II (usually called SNe IIL) are also compatible with more concentrated56Ni in the inner regions of the ejecta. Positive trends are found between the initial mass, explosion energy, and56Ni mass. While the explosion energy spans the full range explored with our models, the initial mass generally arises from a relatively narrow range. Observable properties were measured from our grid of bolometric LC and photospheric velocity models to determine the effect of each physical parameter on the observed SN II diversity. We argue that explosion energy is the physical parameter causing the greatest impact on SN II diversity, that is, assuming the non-rotating solar-metallicity single-star evolution as in the models used in this study. The inclusion of pre-SN models assuming higher mass loss produces a significant increase in the strength of some correlations, particularly those between the progenitor hydrogen-rich envelope mass and the plateau and optically thick phase durations. These differences clearly show the impact of having different treatments of stellar evolution, implying that changes in the assumption of standard single-star evolution are necessary for a complete understanding of SN II diversity.

Spatiokinematic models of five nova remnants: correlations between nova shell axial ratio, expansion velocity, and speed class

ABSTRACT We present long-slit intermediate-dispersion spectroscopic observations and narrow-band direct imaging of four classical nova shells, namely T Aur, HR Del, DQ Her, and QU Vul, and the nova-like source CK Vul. These are used to construct models of their nebular remnants using the morphokinematic modelling tool shape to reveal their 3D shape. All these nova remnants but CK Vul can be described by prolate ellipsoidal shells with different eccentricity degree, from the spherical QU Vul to the highly elongated shell with an equatorial component HR Del. On the other hand, CK Vul shows a more complex structure, with two pairs of nested bipolar lobes. The spatiokinematic properties of the ellipsoidal nova shells derived from our models include their true axial ratios. This parameter is expected to correlate with the expansion velocity and decline time t3 (i.e. their speed class) of a nova as the result the interaction of the ejecta with the circumstellar material and rotation speed and magnetic field of the white dwarf. We have compared these three parameters including data available in the literature for another two nova shells, V533 Her and FH Ser. There is an anticorrelation between the expansion velocity and the axial ratio and decline time t3 for nova remnants with ellipsoidal morphology, and a correlation between their axial ratios and decline times t3, confirming theoretical expectations that the fastest expanding novae have the smallest axial ratios. We note that the high expansion velocity of the nova shell HR Del of 615 km s−1 is inconsistent with its long decline time t3 of 250 d.

Spectropolarimetry of the Type Ia SN 2019ein rules out significant global asphericity of the ejecta

ABSTRACT Detailed spectropolarimetric studies may hold the key to probing the explosion mechanisms and the progenitor scenarios of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). We present multi-epoch spectropolarimetry and imaging polarimetry of SN 2019ein, an SN Ia showing high expansion velocities at early phases. The spectropolarimetry sequence spans from ∼−11 to +10 d relative to peak brightness in the B band. We find that the level of the continuum polarization of SN 2019ein, after subtracting estimated interstellar polarization, is in the range 0.0–0.3 per cent, typical for SNe Ia. The polarization position angle remains roughly constant before and after the SN light-curve peak, implying that the inner regions share the same axisymmetry as the outer layers. We observe high polarization (∼1 per cent) across both the Si ii λ6355 and Ca ii near-infrared triplet features. These two lines also display complex polarization modulations. The spectropolarimetric properties of SN 2019ein rule out a significant departure from spherical symmetry of the ejecta for up to a month after the explosion. These observations disfavour merger-induced and double-detonation models for SN 2019ein. The imaging polarimetry shows weak evidence for a modest increase in polarization after ∼20 d since the B-band maximum. If this rise is real and is observed in other SNe Ia at similar phases, we may have seen, for the first time, an aspherical interior similar to what has been previously observed for SNe IIP. Future polarization observations of SNe Ia extending to post-peak epochs will help to examine the inner structure of the explosion.

Broad-line type Ic SN 2020bvc

Long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are almost unequivocally associated with very energetic, broad-line supernovae of Type Ic-BL. While the gamma-ray emission is emitted in narrow jets, the SN emits radiation isotropically. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that some SN Ic-BL not associated with GRBs arise from events with inner engines such as off-axis GRBs or choked jets. Here we present observations of the nearby (d = 120 Mpc) SN 2020bvc (ASAS-SN 20bs) that support this scenario.Swift-UVOT observations reveal an early decline (up to two days after explosion), while optical spectra classify it as a SN Ic-BL with very high expansion velocities (≈70 000 km s−1), similar to that found for the jet-cocoon emission in SN 2017iuk associated with GRB 171205A. Moreover, theSwiftX-Ray Telescope and CXO X-ray Observatory detected X-ray emission only three days after the SN and decaying onward, which can be ascribed to an afterglow component. Cocoon and X-ray emission are both signatures of jet-powered GRBs. In the case of SN 2020bvc, we find that the jet is off axis (by ≈23 degrees), as also indicated by the lack of early (≈1 day) X-ray emission, which explains why no coincident GRB was detected promptly or in archival data. These observations suggest that SN 2020bvc is the first orphan GRB detected through its associated SN emission.

FLASHING: New high-velocity H2O masers in IRAS 18286−0959

Abstract We discovered new high-velocity components of H2O maser emission in one of the “water fountain” sources, IRAS 18286−0959, which has been monitored using the Nobeyama 45 m telescope in the FLASHING (Finest Legacy Acquisitions of SiO- and H2O-maser Ignitions by Nobeyama Generation) project since 2018 December. The maser spectra show new components with extremely high expansion velocities (>200 km s−1 projected in the line of sight), some of which are located symmetrically in the spectrum with respect to the systemic velocity. They were also mapped with KaVA (KVN and VERA Combined Array) in 2019 March. We located some of these maser components closer to the central stellar system than other high-velocity components (50–200 km s−1) that have been confirmed to be associated with the known bipolar outflow. The new components would have flashed in the fast collimated jet at a speed of over 300 km s−1 (soon) after 2011 when they had not been detected. The fastest of the new components seem to indicate rapid deceleration in these spectra; however, our present monitoring is still too sparse to unambiguously confirm it (up to 50 km s−1 yr−1) and too short to reveal their terminal expansion velocity, which will be equal to the expansion velocity that has been observed ($v$exp ∼ 120 km s−1). Future occurrences of such extreme-velocity components may provide a good opportunity to investigate possible recurrent outflow ignitions. Thus, the sculpture of the parental envelope will be traced by the dense gas that is entrained by the fast jet and exhibits spectacular distributions of the relatively stable maser features.

Spectroscopic Observation of Wolf-Rayet Stars: Study of Expansion Velocity and Mass Loss as Contributors of Interstellar Matter Enrichment

Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars exhibit broad emission lines in their spectra. Based on the featured lines, they are classified into three types: nitrogen-rich WN, carbon-rich WC, and oxygen-rich WO. Broad emission lines indicate high expansion velocity and also previous studies showed that WR stars possessed higher mass-loss rates compared with another type of stars. Thus, it is suggested that the expansion velocity and the mass loss of WR stars play a role in the enrichment of interstellar matter. Our observations were conducted between July 2018 and June 2019 using NEO-R1000 (R∼1000) spectrograph with spectral range 4500-7000Å at the Bosscha Observatory and consisted of WN and WC type stars. Data reduction and expansion velocities determination were carried out using IRAF with longslit-transform routine and Gaussian fitting respectively. To obtain mass-loss rates, we compared our observed spectra with models provided by Potsdam Wolf-Rayet Models (PoWR). In several cases, the contribution of WR stars can be directly observed as Wolf-Rayet nebulae, whose structures are influenced by the high expansion velocity of the nearby WR stars. Assuming that the total of WR stars in the Milky Way is ∼ 2600, we estimated that the population release ∼ 0.507 M⊙ of material annually into Galactic environment.

Dynamic enlargement of a hole in a sheet: Crater formation and propagation of cylindrical shock waves

Predicting the shape of a crater formed by high velocity impact is of interest in several fields. It can aid in design of more efficient protective structures, in forensic analysis of bullet holes, and in understanding the effects of meteorite impact in both space systems and in extreme geological events. In this paper we present, for the first time, a complete theoretical solution of the dynamic plane-stress problem. We consider the steady-state expansion of a cylindrical hole in a strain hardening elastoplastic sheet and find that a self-similar field emerges if the ‘specific cavitation energy’ is constant. It is shown that at the quasistatic limit this solution reduces to available classical solutions, while at high expansion velocities shock waves can appear. Investigation of the constitutive sensitivities of the expansion field is conducted and compared with available results for the spherical field which is commonly applied to predict resistance to high velocity penetration. It is shown that shock waves appear at significantly lower expansion velocities, in the plane-stress deformation pattern, for which material compressibility is found to have a negligible effect. This insensitivity can be taken advantage of in the future for design of light weight protective layers by incorporating porosity.

Revealing the nature of central emission nebulae in the dwarf galaxy NGC 185

Aims. In this paper we present new optical observations of the galaxy NGC 185 intended to reveal the status of supernova remnants (SNRs) in this dwarf companion of the Andromeda galaxy. Previously, it was reported that this galaxy hosts one SNR. Methods. Our deep photometric study with the 2m telescope at Rozhen National Astronomical Observatory using narrow-band Hα and [S II] filters revealed complex structure of the interstellar medium in the center of the galaxy. To confirm the classification and to study the kinematics of the detected nebulae, we carried out spectroscopic observations using the SCORPIO multi-mode spectrograph at the 6m telescope at the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Science, both in low- and high-resolution modes. We also searched the archival X-ray and radio data for counterparts of the candidate SNRs identified by our optical observations. Results. Our observations imply the presence of one more SNR, one possible H II region previously cataloged as part of an SNR, and the presence of an additional source of shock ionization in one low-brightness planetary nebula. We detected enhanced [S II]/Hα and [N II]/Hα line ratios, as well as relatively high (up to 90 km s−1) expansion velocities of the two observed nebulae, motivating their classification as SNRs (with diameters of 45 pc and 50 pc), confirmed by both photometric and spectral observations. The estimated electron density of emission nebulae is 30–200 cm−3. Archival XMM-Newton observations indicate the presence of an extended, low-brightness, soft source in projection of one of the optical SNRs, whereas the archival VLA radio image shows weak, unresolved emission in the center of NGC 185.

Dynamic cylindrical cavity expansion in orthotropic porous ductile materials

This paper investigates the steady-state elastoplastic fields induced by a pressurized cylindrical cavity expanding dynamically in an anisotropic porous medium. For that task, we have developed a theoretical model which: (i) incorporates into the formalism developed by Cohen and Durban [4] the effect of plastic anisotropy using the constitutive framework developed by Benzerga and Besson [1] and (ii) uses the artificial viscosity approach developed by Lew et al. [24] to capture the shock waves that emerge at high cavity expansion velocities. We have shown that while the development of the shock waves is hardly affected by the material anisotropy, the directionality of the plastic properties does have an effect on the elastoplastic fields that evolve near the cavity. The importance of this effect is strongly dependent on the cavity expansion velocity, the initial porosity and the strain hardening of the material. In addition, the theoretical model has been used in conjunction with the Recht and Ipson [33] formulas to assess the ballistic performance of porous anisotropic targets against high velocity perforation.

Hints of the existence of C-rich massive evolved stars.

We aim at studying the properties of a particular type of evolved stars, the C-rich evolved stars with high expansion velocities. For this purpose we have focused on the two best studied objects within this group, IRC +10401 and AFGL 2233. We focused on determining their luminosity by studying their spectral energy distribution. Also we have obtained single-dish line profiles and interferometric maps of the CO J=1-0 and J=2-1emission lines for both objects. We have modeled this emission using a LVG radiative transfer code to determine the kinetic temperature and density profiles of the gas ejected by these stars. We have found that the luminosities obtained for these objects (log(L/L ⊙) = 4.1 & 5.4) locate them in the domain of the massive Asymptotic Giant Branch stars (AGBs) and the Red Supergiant stars (RSGs). In addition, the mass-loss rates obtained (1.5 × 10-5 - 6 × 10-3 M ⊙ yr-1) suggest that while IRC+10401 might be an AGB star, AFGL 2233 could be a RSG star. All these results, together with those from previous works suggest that both objects are massive objects, IRC +10401 a massive evolved star with M init ~ 5 - 9M ⊙ which could correspond to an AGB or a RSG and AFGL 2233 a RSG with M init ~ 20M ⊙, which would confirm the existence of massive C-rich evolved stars. Two scenarios are proposed to form these types of objects. The first one capable of producing high mass AGB stars up to ~ 8M ⊙ and a second one capable of forming C-rich RSGs as AFGL 2233.

Observations of SN 2017ein Reveal Shock Breakout Emission and a Massive Progenitor Star for a Type Ic Supernova

Abstract We present optical and ultraviolet observations of nearby Type Ic supernova (SN Ic) SN 2017ein, as well as a detailed analysis of its progenitor properties from both the early-time observations and the prediscovery Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images. The optical light curves started from within 1 day to ∼275 days after explosion, and optical spectra range from ∼2 days to ∼90 days after explosion. Compared to other normal SNe Ic like SN 2007gr and SN 2013ge, SN 2017ein seems to have more prominent C ii absorption and higher expansion velocities in early phases, suggestive of relatively lower ejecta mass. The earliest photometry obtained for SN 2017ein shows indications of shock cooling. The best fit obtained by including a shock-cooling component gives an estimate of the envelope mass as ∼0.02 M ⊙ and stellar radius as 8 ± 4 R ⊙. Examining the pre-explosion images taken with the HST WFPC2, we find that the SN position coincides with a luminous and blue point-like source, with an extinction-corrected absolute magnitude of M V ∼ −8.2 mag and M I ∼ −7.7 mag. Comparisons of the observations to the theoretical models indicate that the counterpart source was either a single W-R star or a binary whose members had high initial masses, or a young compact star cluster. To further distinguish between different scenarios requires revisiting the site of the progenitor with HST after the SN fades away.

Signatures of a jet cocoon in early spectra of a supernova associated with a γ-ray burst.

Long γ-ray bursts are associated with energetic, broad-lined, stripped-envelope supernovae1,2 and as such mark the death of massive stars. The scarcity of such events nearby and the brightness of the γ-ray burst afterglow, which dominates the emission in the first few days after the burst, have so far prevented the study of the very early evolution of supernovae associated with γ-ray bursts3. In hydrogen-stripped supernovae that are not associated with γ-ray bursts, an excess of high-velocity (roughly 30,000 kilometres per second) material has been interpreted as a signature of a choked jet, which did not emerge from the progenitor star and instead deposited all of its energy in a thermal cocoon4. Here we report multi-epoch spectroscopic observations of the supernova SN2017iuk, which is associated with the γ-ray burst GRB171205A. Our spectra display features at extremely high expansion velocities (around 115,000 kilometres per second) within the first day after the burst5,6. Using spectral synthesis models developed for SN2017iuk, we show that these features are characterized by chemical abundances that differ from those observed in the ejecta of SN2017iuk at later times. We further show that the high-velocity features originate from the mildly relativistic hot cocoon that is generated by an ultra-relativistic jet within the γ-ray burst expanding and decelerating into the medium that surrounds the progenitor star7,8. This cocoon rapidly becomes transparent9 and is outshone by the supernova emission, which starts to dominate the emission three days after the burst.

Type II Supernova Spectral Diversity. II. Spectroscopic and Photometric Correlations

We present an analysis of observed trends and correlations between a large range of spectral and photometric parameters of more than 100 type II supernovae (SNe~II), during the photospheric phase. We define a common epoch for all SNe of 50 days post-explosion where the majority of the sample is likely to be under similar physical conditions. Several correlation matrices are produced to search for interesting trends between more than 30 distinct light-curve and spectral properties that characterize the diversity of SNe~II. Overall, SNe with higher expansion velocities are brighter, have more rapidly declining light-curves, shorter plateau durations, and higher $^{56}$Ni masses. Using a larger sample than previous studies, we argue that `$Pd$' - the plateau duration from the transition of the initial to `plateau' decline rates to the end of the `plateau' - is a better indicator of the hydrogen envelope mass than the traditionally used optically thick phase duration ($OPTd$: explosion epoch to end of plateau). This argument is supported by the fact that $Pd$ also correlates with s$_3$, the light-curve decline rate at late times: lower $Pd$ values correlate with larger s$_3$ decline rates. Large s$_3$ decline rates are likely related to lower envelope masses that enables gamma-ray escape. We also find a significant anticorrelation between $Pd$ and s$_2$ (the plateau decline rate), confirming the long standing hypothesis that faster declining SNe~II (SNe~IIL) are the result of explosions with lower hydrogen envelope masses and therefore have shorter $Pd$ values.

Rings and filaments: The remarkable detached CO shell of U Antliae

Aims. Our goal is to characterize the intermediate age, detached shell carbon star U Antliae morphologically and physically in order to study the mass-loss evolution after a possible thermal pulse. Methods. High spatial resolution ALMA observations of unprecedented quality in thermal CO lines allow us to derive first critical spatial and temporal scales and constrain modeling efforts to estimate mass-loss rates for both the present day as well as the ejection period of the detached shell. Results. The detached shell is remarkably thin, overall spherically symmetric, and shows a barely resolved filamentary substructure possibly caused by instabilities in the interaction zone of winds with different outflow velocities. The expansion age of the detached shell is of the order of 2700 years and its overall width indicates a high expansion-velocity and high mass-loss period of only a few hundred years at an average mass-loss rate of $\approx$ 10$^{-5}$ $M_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$. The post-high-mass-loss-rate-epoch evolution of U Ant shows a significant decline to a substantially lower gas expansion velocity and a mass-loss rate amounting to 4$\times$10$^{-8}$ $M_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$, at present being consistent with evolutionary changes as predicted for the period between thermal pulses.

Stagnant Shells in the Vicinity of the Dusty Wolf–Rayet–OB Binary WR 112

Abstract We present high spatial resolution mid-infrared images of the nebula around the late-type carbon-rich Wolf–Rayet (WC)–OB binary system WR 112 taken by the recently upgraded VLT spectrometer and imager for the mid-infrared (VISIR) with the PAH1, Ne ii_2, and Q3 filters. The observations reveal a morphology resembling a series of arc-like filaments and broken shells. Dust temperatures and masses are derived for each of the identified filamentary structures, which exhibit temperatures ranging from K at the exterior W2 filament to K in the central 3″. The total dust mass summed over the features is 2.6 ± 0.4 × 10−5 M ⊙. A multi-epoch analysis of mid-IR photometry of WR 112 over the past ∼20 years reveals no significant variability in the observed dust temperature and mass. The morphology of the mid-IR dust emission from WR 112 also exhibits no significant expansion from imaging data taken in 2001, 2007, and 2016, which disputes the current interpretation of the nebula as a high expansion velocity (∼1200 km s−1) “pinwheel”-shaped outflow driven by the central WC–OB colliding-wind binary. An upper limit of ≲120 km s−1 is derived for the expansion velocity assuming a distance of 4.15 kpc. The upper limit on the average total mass-loss rate from the central 3″ of WR 112 is estimated to be ≲8 × 10−6 M ⊙ year−1. We leave its true nature as an open question, but propose that the WR 112 nebula may have formed in the outflow during a previous red or yellow supergiant phase of the central Wolf–Rayet star.

Kilonova/Macronova Emission from Compact Binary Mergers

We review current understanding of kilonova/macronova emission from compact binary mergers (mergers of two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole). Kilonova/macronova is emission powered by radioactive decays ofr-process nuclei and it is one of the most promising electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave sources. Emission from the dynamical ejecta of ~0.01M⊙is likely to have a luminosity of ~1040–1041 erg s−1with a characteristic timescale of about 1 week. The spectral peak is located in red optical or near-infrared wavelengths. A subsequent accretion disk wind may provide an additional luminosity or an earlier/bluer emission if it is not absorbed by the precedent dynamical ejecta. The detection of near-infrared excess in short GRB 130603B and possible optical excess in GRB 060614 supports the concept of the kilonova/macronova scenario. At 200 Mpc distance, a typical peak brightness of kilonova/macronova with0.01M⊙ejecta is about 22 mag and the emission rapidly fades to >24 mag within ~10 days. Kilonova/macronova candidates can be distinguished from supernovae by (1) the faster time evolution, (2) fainter absolute magnitudes, and (3) redder colors. Since the high expansion velocity (v~0.1–0.2c) is a robust outcome of compact binary mergers, the detection of smooth spectra will be the smoking gun to conclusively identify the gravitational wave source.

Evidence for a [WR] or WEL-type binary nucleus in the bipolar planetary nebula Vy 1-2

We present high-dispersion spectroscopic data of the compact planetary nebula Vy 1-2, where high expansion velocities up to 100 km/s are found in the Ha, [N II] and [O III] emission lines. HST images reveal a bipolar structure. Vy 1-2 displays a bright ring-like structure with a size of 2.4"x3.2" and two faint bipolar lobes in the west-east direction. A faint pair of knots is also found, located almost symmetrically on opposite sides of the nebula at PA=305 degrees. Furthermore, deep low-dispersion spectra are also presented and several emission lines are detected for the first time in this nebula, such as the doublet [Cl III] 5517, 5537 A, [K IV] 6101 A, C II 6461 A, the doublet C IV 5801, 5812 A. By comparison with the solar abundances, we find enhanced N, depleted C and solar O. The central star must have experienced the hot bottom burning (CN-cycle) during the 2nd dredge-up phase, implying a progenitor star of higher than 3 solar masses. The very low C/O and N/O abundance ratios suggest a likely post-common envelope close binary system. A simple spherically symmetric geometry with either a blackbody or a H-deficient stellar atmosphere model is not able to reproduce the ionisation structure of Vy 1-2. The effective temperature and luminosity of its central star indicate a young nebula located at a distance of ~9.7 kpc with an age of ~3500 years. The detection of stellar emission lines, C II 6461 A, the doublet C IV {\lambda}{\lambda} 5801, 5812 A and O III 5592 A, emitted from a H-deficient star, indicates the presence of a late-type Wolf-Rayet or a WEL type central star.

SN 2011hs: a fast and faint Type IIb supernova from a supergiant progenitor

Observations spanning a large wavelength range, from X-ray to radio, of the Type IIb supernova 2011hs are presented, covering its evolution during the first year after explosion. The optical light curve presents a narrower shape and a fainter luminosity at peak than previously observed for Type IIb SNe. High expansion velocities are measured from the broad absorption H I and He I lines. From the comparison of the bolometric light curve and the time evolution of the photospheric velocities with hydrodynamical models, we found that SN 2011hs is consistent with the explosion of a 3-4 Msun He-core progenitor star, corresponding to a main sequence mass of 12-15 Msun, that ejected a mass of 56Ni of about 0.04 Msun, with an energy of E= 8.5 x 10^50 erg. Such a low-mass progenitor scenario is in full agreement with the modelling of the nebular spectrum taken at $\sim$215 days from maximum. From the modelling of the adiabatic cooling phase, we infer a progenitor radius of $\approx$500-600 Rsun, clearly pointing to an extended progenitor star. The radio light curve of SN 2011hs yields a peak luminosity similar to that of SN 1993J, but with a higher mass loss rate and a wind density possibly more similar to that of SN 2001ig. Although no significant deviations from a smooth decline have been found in the radio light curves, we cannot rule out the presence of a binary companion star.