Intermediate Luminosity Optical Transients Research Articles

More Luminous Red Novae That Require Jets

In this paper, I study two intermediate luminosity optical transients (ILOTs), classified as luminous red novae (LRNe), and argue that their modeling with a common envelope evolution (CEE) without jets encounters challenges. LRNe are ILOTs powered by violent binary interaction. Although in the literature it is popular to assume a CEE is the cause of LRNe, I here repeat an old claim that many LRNe are powered by grazing envelope evolution (GEE) events; the GEE might end in a CEE or a detached binary system. I find that the LRN AT 2021biy might have continued to experience mass ejection episodes after its eruption and, therefore, might not have suffered a full CEE during the outburst. This adds to an earlier finding that a jetless model does not account for some of its properties. I find that a suggested jetless CEE model for the LRN AT 2019zhd does not reproduce its photosphere radius evolution. These results that challenge jetless models of two LRNe strengthen a previous claim that jets play major roles in powering ILOTs and shaping their ejecta and that, in many LRNe, the more compact companion launches the jets during a GEE.

On the Nature of Jets from a Main Sequence Companion at the Onset of Common Envelope Evolution

I consider a flow structure by which main sequence companions that enter a common envelope evolution (CEE) with giant stars might launch jets even when the accreted gas has a sub-Keplerian specific angular momentum. I first show that after a main sequence star enters the envelope of a giant star the specific angular momentum of the accreted gas is sub-Keplerian but still sufficiently large for the accreted gas to avoid two conical-like openings along the two opposite polar directions. I suggest that the high-pressure zone that the accreted gas builds around the main sequence equatorial plane accelerates outflows along these polar openings. Most of the inflowing gas is deflected to the polar outflows, i.e., two oppositely directed jets. The actual mass that the main sequence star accretes is only a small fraction, ≈0.1, of the inflowing gas. However, the gravitational energy that this gas releases powers the inflow-outflow streaming of gas and adds energy to the common envelope ejection. This flow structure might take place during a grazing envelope evolution if it occurs, during the early CEE and possibly in some post-CEE cases. This study increases the parameter space for main sequence stars to launch jets. Such jets might shape some morphological features in planetary nebulae, add energy to mass removal in CEE and power some intermediate luminosity optical transients.

On the nature of the planet-powered transient event ZTF SLRN-2020

ABSTRACT The Red Nova ZTF SLRN-2020 is the third transient event with properties that are compatible with the merger of a planet with a main-sequence (or close to) star on a dynamical time-scale. While the two first transient events occurred in young stellar objects, ZTF SLRN-2020 occurred in an old system. None the less, I show that the three star–planet intermediate luminosity optical transients (ILOTs, also termed Red Novae) occupy the same area in the energy–time diagram of ILOTs. Based on models for ILOTs that are power by stellar binary interaction, I suggest that the planet in ZTF SLRN-2020 launched jets at about its escape speed before it was engulfed by the star. Interestingly, the escape speed from the planet is similar to the orbital speed of the planet. This leads to an outflow with a very low terminal velocity, much below the escape velocity from the star, and in concentration around ≈45° to the equatorial plane. As well, the planet might have lost back some of the accreted mass just before engulfment, forming an accretion disc around the star. This disc might have launched jets during the main outburst of the event. The jets form a bipolar expanding nebula.

Gap Transients Interacting with Circumstellar Medium

In the last 20 years, modern wide-field surveys discovered a new class of peculiar transients, which lie in the luminosity gap between standard supernovae and classical novae. These transients are often called “intermediate luminosity optical transients” or “gap transients”. They are usually distinguished in subgroups based on their phenomenology, such as supernova impostors, intermediate luminosity red transients, and luminous red novae. In this review, we present a brief overview of their observational features and possible physical scenarios to date, in the attempt to understand their nature.

A Rapidly Fading Star as a Type II Obscuring Intermediate Luminosity Optical Transient (ILOT) in a Triple-star System

We propose a triple-star scenario where the merger of two pre-main-sequence low-mass stars, ≲0.5 M ⊙, ejects a dusty equatorial outflow that obscures and temporarily causes the disappearance of a massive star, ≳8 M ⊙. The merger of the low-mass inner binary powers a faint outburst, i.e., a faint intermediate luminosity optical transient (ILOT), but its main effect that can last for decades is to (almost) disappear the luminous massive star of the triple system. The typical orbital period of the triple system is about 1 yr. The merger process proceeds as the more-massive star of the two low-mass pre-main-sequence stars starts to transfer mass to the least-massive star in the triple system and as a result of that expands. This type II obscuring ILOT scenario in a triple-star system might account for the fading, rebrightening, and then refading of the massive post-main-sequence star M101-OC1. It might recover in about 20–100 yr. Our study strengthens the claim that there are alternative scenarios to account for the (almost) disappearing of massive stars, removing the need for failed supernovae. In these scenarios the disappearing is temporary, lasting from months to decades, and therefore at a later time the massive star explodes as a core collapse supernova, even if it forms a black hole.

Faint intermediate luminosity optical transients (ILOTs) from engulfing exoplanets on the Hertzsprung gap

ABSTRACT We follow the evolution of four observed exoplanets to the time when the respective parent star of each planet evolves off the main sequence and engulfs its planet to start a common envelope evolution (CEE), concluding that in each case this process powers an intermediate luminosity optical transient (ILOT; luminous red nova). We characterize the final thousands of days of the orbital decay towards a CEE and determine the properties of the star at the onset of the CEE. We scale the properties of the ILOT V1309 Scorpii to the properties of a planet that enters a CEE inside a star on and near the Hertzsprung gap to estimate the duration and luminosity of the expected ILOT. Based on these, we estimate that for a planet of Jupiter mass the ILOT will last for several days and reach a luminosity of several thousand solar luminosity. This type of ILOTs are less luminous than classical novae. Because of the small amount of expected dust and the small amount of energy that an accretion process on to the planet can release, such ILOTs can teach us on the merger at the onset of CEE of stellar companions. Our study adds to the variety of ILOTs that planets can power as they interact with a more massive companion.

Simulating highly eccentric common envelope jet supernova impostors

ABSTRACT We conduct three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations of eccentric common envelope jet supernova (CEJSN) impostors, i.e. a neutron star that crosses through the envelope of a red supergiant star on a highly eccentric orbit and launches jets as it accretes mass from the envelope. Because of numerical limitations, we apply a simple prescription where we inject the assumed jets’ power into two opposite conical regions inside the envelope. We find the outflow morphology to be very complicated, clumpy, and non-spherical, having a large-scale symmetry only about the equatorial plane. The outflow morphology can substantially differ between simulations that differ by their jets’ power. We estimate by simple means the light curve to be very bumpy, to have a rise time of one to a few months, and to slowly decay in about a year to several years. These eccentric CEJSN impostors will be classified as ‘gap’ objects, i.e. having a luminosity between those of classical novae and typical supernovae (termed also ILOTs for intermediate luminosity optical transients). We strengthen a previous conclusion that CEJSN impostors might account for some peculiar ILOTs, in particular those that might repeat over time-scales of months to years.

The circumstellar matter of type II intermediate luminosity optical transients (ILOTs)

I find that a ≃ 0.1 − 1 M ⊙ outflowing equatorial dusty disk (torus) that the binary system progenitor of an intermediate luminosity optical transient (ILOT) ejects several years to several months before and during the outburst can reduce the total emission to an equatorial observer by two orders of magnitude and shifts the emission to wavelengths of mainly λ ≳ 10 μm. This is termed a type II ILOT (ILOT II). To reach this conclusion, I use calculations of type II active galactic nuclei and apply them to the equatorial ejecta (disk/torus) of ILOTs II. This reduction in emission can last for tens of years after outburst. Most of the radiation escapes along the polar directions. The attenuation of the emission for wavelengths of λ < 5 μm can be more than three orders of magnitude, and the emission at λ ≲ 2 μ m is negligible. Jets that the binary system launches during the outburst can collide with polar CSM and emit radiation above the equatorial plane and dust in the polar outflow can reflect emission from the central source. Therefore, during the event itself the equatorial observer might detect an ILOT. I strengthen the previously suggested ILOT II scenario to the event N6946-BH1, where a red giant star disappeared in the visible.

Explaining recently studied intermediate luminosity optical transients (ILOTs) with jet powering

We apply the jet-powered ILOT scenario to two recently studied intermediate luminosity optical transients (ILOTs), and find the relevant shell mass and jets’ energy that might account for the outbursts of these ILOTs. In the jet-powered ILOT scenario, an accretion disk around one of the stars of a binary system launches jets. The interaction of the jets with a previously ejected slow shell converts kinetic energy to thermal energy, part of which is radiated away. We apply two models of the jet-powered ILOT scenario. In the spherical shell model, the jets accelerate a spherical shell, while in the cocoon toy model the jets penetrate into the shell and inflate hot bubbles, the cocoons. We find consistent results. For the ILOT (ILRT: intermediate luminosity red transient) SNhunt120 we find the shell mass and jets’ energy to be M s ≃ 0.5 − 1 M ⊙ and E 2j ≃ 5 × 1047 erg, respectively. The jets’ half opening angle is αj ≃ 30° − 60°. For the second peak of the ILOT (luminous red nova) AT 2014ej we find these quantities to be M s ≃ 1 − 2 M ⊙ and E 2j ≃ 1.5 × 1048 erg, with αj ≃ 20° − 30°. The models cannot tell whether these ILOTs were powered by a stellar merger that leaves one star, or by mass transfer where both stars survived. In both cases the masses of the shells and energies of the jets suggest that the binary progenitor system was massive, with a combined mass of M 1 + M 2 ≳ 10 M ⊙.

Near-infrared Spectroscopy of CK Vulpeculae: Revealing a Remarkably Powerful Blast from the Past

Abstract CK Vulpeculae (CK Vul), which erupted in AD 1670–71, was long considered to be a nova outburst; however, recent observations have required that alternative scenarios be considered. Long-slit infrared spectroscopy of a forbidden line of iron reported here has revealed high line-of-sight velocities (∼±900 km s−1) of the ansae at the tips of the bipolar lobes imaged in Hα in 2010. The deprojected velocities of the tips are approximately ±2130 km s−1 assuming the previously derived inclination angle of 65° for the axis of cylindrical symmetry of the bipolar nebula. Such high velocities are in stark contrast to previous reports of much lower expansion velocities in CK Vul. Based on the deprojected velocities of the tips and their angular expansion measured over a 10 yr baseline, we derive a revised estimate, with estimated uncertainties, of kpc for the distance to CK Vul. This implies that the absolute visual magnitude at the peak of the 1670 explosion was , indicating that the 1670 event was far more luminous than previous estimates and brighter than any classical nova or any Galactic stellar merger. We propose that CK Vul belongs to the class of intermediate-luminosity optical transients (ILOTs), objects which bridge the luminosity gap between novae and supernovae. While eruptions in lower luminosity ILOTs are attributed to merger events, the origin of the highly luminous ILOT outbursts is currently not known.

Efficiently Jet-powered Radiation in Intermediate-luminosity Optical Transients

Abstract I show that a flow structure where wide jets hit a slower expanding shell might be very efficient in channeling the kinetic energy of the jets to radiation, therefore accounting for, at least a fraction of, intermediate-luminosity optical transients (ILOTs) where the total radiation energy is much larger than what recombination energy of the outflow can supply. This type of flow might occur in the frame of the high-accretion-powered ILOT (HAPI) model, where there is a high mass accretion rate as a result of stellar merger or mass transfer in a binary system. I derive the condition on the jets half opening angle for the jets not to penetrate through the slow shell, as well as the ratio of the photon diffusion time to expansion time. This ratio cannot be too large if a large fraction of the thermal energy is channeled to radiation. I apply the jet-powered radiation model to the Great Eruption of Eta Carinae, to V838 Mon, and to V4332 Sgr, and find a plausible set of parameters for these ILOTs. I expect the jet-powered radiation model to be more efficient in converting kinetic energy to radiation than ILOT models that are based on equatorial mass concentration. In many cases, though, I expect both jets and equatorial mass concentration to occur in the same system.

Shaping Planetary Nebulae with Jets and the Grazing Envelope Evolution

I argue that the high percentage of planetary nebulae (PNe) that are shaped by jets show that main sequence stars in binary systems can accrete mass at a high rate from an accretion disk and launch jets. Not only does this allow jets to shape PNe, but this also points to the importance of jets in other types of binary systems and in other processes. These processes include the grazing envelope evolution (GEE), the common envelope evolution (CEE), and the efficient conversion of kinetic energy to radiation in outflows. Additionally, the jets point to the possibility that many systems launch jets as they enter the CEE, possibly through a GEE phase. The other binary systems in which jets might play significant roles include intermediate-luminosity optical transients (ILOTs), supernova impostors (including pre-explosion outbursts), post-CEE binary systems, post-GEE binary systems, and progenitors of neutron star binary systems and black hole binary systems. One of the immediate consequences is that the outflow of these systems is highly-non-spherical, including bipolar lobes, jets, and rings.

ASASSN-13db 2014–2017 Eruption as an Intermediate Luminosity Optical Transient

The low mass star ASASSN-13db experienced an EXor outburst in 2013, which identified it as a Young Stellar Object (YSO). Then, from 2014 to 2017 it had another outburst, longer and more luminous than the earlier. We analyze the observations of the second outburst, and compare it to eruptions of Intermediate Luminosity Optical Transients (ILOTs). We show that the decline of the light curve is almost identical to that of the V838 Mon, a prototype of a type of ILOT known as Luminous Red Nova (LRN). This similarity becomes conspicuous when oscillations that are associated with rotation are filtered out from the light curve of ASASSN-13db. We suggest that the eruption was the result of accretion of a proto-planet of a few Earth masses. The proto-planet was shredded by tidal forces before it was accreted onto the YSO, releasing gravitational energy that powered the outburst for ≈ 800 days , and ended in a ≈ 55 days decline phase. When the accretion material started depleting the accretion rate lowered and the eruption light curve declined for almost two months. Then it exhausted completely, creating a sharp break in the light curve. Another possibility is that the mass was a result of an instability in the proto-planetary disk that lead to a large episode of accretion from an inner viscous disk. We find that the variation of the temperature of the outburst is consistent with the surface temperature expected from a depleted viscous accretion disk. The 2014–2017 outburst of ASASSN-13db may be the least energetic ILOT to have been discovered to date, with an energy budget of only ≈ 10 42 erg .

Intermediate Luminosity Optical Transients (ILOTs) from Merging Giants

Abstract We suggest and study the formation of intermediate luminosity optical transients (ILOTs) from the merger of two cool giant stars. For the two stars to merge when both are in their giant phases, they must have close masses at their zero-age main sequence, and the orbital separation must be in the right range. After the two giants merge, the two cores spiral in toward each other within a common envelope. We study the energy sources of radiation in this process, which includes the ejection of mass that powers radiation by both recombination and by collision with previously ejected mass. This process includes no jets, unlike many other types of ILOTs, hence the event will not form a bipolar nebula. Using the stellar evolution numerical code mesa for two binary systems with stellar masses of (15M ⊙, 15.75M ⊙) and (31M ⊙, 31.5M ⊙), we find that the merger of the two cores releases gravitational energy that marginally ejects the entire common envelope. This implies that in many cases the two cores merge, i.e., a fatal common envelope evolution, leading to a somewhat more luminous ILOT. A typical ILOT from the merger of two cool giant stars lasts for several months to several years, and has a typical average luminosity of , where M CE is the ejected common envelope mass. The merger-driven massive outflow forms dust, hence leading to a very red ILOT, possibly even infrared luminous and undetectable in the visible.

Luminous red novae: Stellar mergers or giant eruptions?

We present extensive datasets for a class of intermediate-luminosity optical transients known as luminous red novae. They show double-peaked light curves, with an initial rapid luminosity rise to a blue peak (at −13 to −15 mag), which is followed by a longer-duration red peak that sometimes is attenuated, resembling a plateau. The progenitors of three of them (NGC 4490−2011OT1, M 101−2015OT1, and SNhunt248), likely relatively massive blue to yellow stars, were also observed in a pre-eruptive stage when their luminosity was slowly increasing. Early spectra obtained during the first peak show a blue continuum with superposed prominent narrow Balmer lines, with P Cygni profiles. Lines of Fe II are also clearly observed, mostly in emission. During the second peak, the spectral continuum becomes much redder, Hα is barely detected, and a forest of narrow metal lines is observed in absorption. Very late-time spectra (∼6 months after blue peak) show an extremely red spectral continuum, peaking in the infrared (IR) domain. Hα is detected in pure emission at such late phases, along with broad absorption bands due to molecular overtones (such as TiO, VO). We discuss a few alternative scenarios for luminous red novae. Although major instabilities of single massive stars cannot be definitely ruled out, we favour a common envelope ejection in a close binary system, with possibly a final coalescence of the two stars. The similarity between luminous red novae and the outburst observed a few months before the explosion of the Type IIn SN 2011ht is also discussed.

Simulations and Modeling of Intermediate Luminosity Optical Transients and Supernova Impostors

More luminous than classical novae, but less luminous than supernovae, lies the exotic stellar eruptions known as Intermediate luminosity optical transients (ILOTs). They are divided into a number of sub-groups depending on the erupting progenitor and the properties of the eruption. A large part of the ILOTs is positioned on the slanted Optical Transient Stripe (OTS) in the Energy-Time Diagram (ETD) that shows their total energy vs. duration of their eruption. We describe the different kinds of ILOTs that populate the OTS and other parts of the ETD. The high energy part of the OTS hosts the supernova impostors—giant eruptions (GE) of very massive stars. We show the results of the 3D hydrodynamical simulations of GEs that expose the mechanism behind these GEs and present new models for recent ILOTs. We discuss the connection between different kinds of ILOTs and suggest that they have a common energy source—gravitational energy released by mass transfer. We emphasize similarities between Planetary Nebulae (PNe) and ILOTs, and suggest that some PNe were formed in an ILOT event. Therefore, simulations used for GEs can be adapted for PNe, and used to learn about the influence of the ILOT events on the central star of the planetary nebula.

AT 2017be - a new member of the class of Intermediate-Luminosity Red Transients

We report the results of our spectrophotometric monitoring campaign for AT~2017be in NGC~2537. Its lightcurve reveals a fast rise to an optical maximum, followed by a plateau lasting about 30 days, and finally a fast decline. Its absolute peak magnitude ($M_{r}$ $\simeq$ $-$12 $\rm{mag}$) is fainter than that of core-collapse supernovae, and is consistent with those of supernova impostors and other Intermediate-Luminosity Optical Transients. The quasi-bolometric lightcurve peaks at $\sim$ 2 $\times$ 10$^{40}$ erg s$^{-1}$, and the late-time photometry allows us to constrain an ejected $^{56}$Ni mass of $\sim$ 8 $\times$ 10$^{-4}$\msun. The spectra of AT~2017be show minor evolution over the observational period, a relatively blue continuum showing at early phases, which becomes redder with time. A prominent H$\alpha$ emission line always dominates over other Balmer lines. Weak Fe {\sc ii} features, Ca~{\sc ii} H$\&$K and the Ca {\sc ii} NIR triplet are also visible, while P-Cygni absorption troughs are found in a high resolution spectrum. In addition, the [Ca~{\sc ii}] $\lambda$7291,7324 doublet is visible in all spectra. This feature is typical of Intermediate-Luminosity Red Transients (ILRTs), similar to SN~2008S. The relatively shallow archival Spitzer data are not particularly constraining. On the other hand, a non-detection in deeper near-infrared HST images disfavours a massive Luminous Blue Variable eruption as the origin for AT~2017be. As has been suggested for other ILRTs, we propose that AT~2017be is a candidate for a weak electron-capture supernova explosion of a super-asymptotic giant branch star, still embedded in a thick dusty envelope.

Planets, Planetary Nebulae, and Intermediate Luminosity Optical Transients (ILOTs)

I review some aspects related to the influence of planets on the evolution of stars before and beyond the main sequence. Some processes include the tidal destruction of a planet on to a very young main sequence star, on to a low-mass main sequence star, and on to a brown dwarf. This process releases gravitational energy that might be observed as a faint intermediate luminosity optical transient (ILOT) event. I then summarize the view that some elliptical planetary nebulae are shaped by planets. When the planet interacts with a low-mass, upper asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star, it both enhances the mass-loss rate and shapes the wind to form an elliptical planetary nebula, mainly by spinning up the envelope and by exciting waves in the envelope. If no interaction with a companion, stellar or substellar, takes place beyond the main sequence, the star is termed a Jsolated star, and its mass-loss rates on the giant branches are likely to be much lower than what is traditionally assumed.

The Orientation of Eta Carinae and the Powering Mechanism of Intermediate-luminosity Optical Transients (ILOTS)

Abstract Contrary to recent claims, we argue that the orientation of the massive binary system Eta Carinae is such that the secondary star is closer to us at periastron passage, and it is on the far side during most of the time of the eccentric orbit. The binary orientation we dispute is based on problematic interpretations of recent observations. Among these are the radial velocity of the absorption component of He i P-Cyg lines, of the He ii λ4686 emission line, and of the Br γ line emitted by clumps close to the binary system. We also base our orientation on observations of asymmetric molecular clumps that were recently observed by ALMA around the binary system, and were claimed to compose a torus with a missing segment. The orientation has implications for the modeling of the binary interaction during the nineteenth century Great Eruption (GE) of Eta Carinae that occurred close to periastron passage. The orientation where the secondary is closer to us at periastron leads us to suggest that the mass-missing side of the molecular clumps is a result of accretion onto the secondary star during periastron passage when the clumps were ejected, probably during the GE. The secondary star accreted a few solar masses during the GE and the energy from the accretion process consists of the majority of the GE energy. This in turn strengthens the more general model according to which many intermediate-luminosity optical transients (ILOTS) are powered by accretion onto a secondary star.

An outburst powered by the merging of two stars inside the envelope of a giant

We conduct three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations of energy deposition into the envelope of a red giant star as a result of the merger of two close main sequence stars or brown dwarfs, and show that the outcome is a highly non-spherical outflow. Such a violent interaction of a triple stellar system can explain the formation of `messy', i.e., lacking any kind of symmetry, planetary nebulae (PNe) and similar nebulae around evolved stars. We do not simulate the merging process, but simply assume that after the tight binary system enters the envelope of the giant star the interaction with the envelope causes the two components, stars or brown dwarfs, to merge and liberate gravitational energy. We deposit the energy over a time period of about nine hours, which is about one per cent of the orbital period of the merger product around the centre of the giant star. The ejection of the fast hot gas and its collision with previously ejected mass are very likely to lead to a transient event, i.e., an intermediate luminosity optical transient (ILOT).