Pre-explosion Observations Research Articles

The progenitor of SN 2023ixf from hydrodynamical modeling

Context. The supernova (SN) 2023ixf is among the nearest Type II SNe discovered in recent decades. As such, there is a wealth of observational data of both the event itself and of the associated object identified in pre-explosion images. This has enabled variety of studies aimed at determining the SN properties and the nature of the putative progenitor star. Modeling the light curve is a powerful method to derive the physical properties independently of direct progenitor analyses. Aims. We investigate the physical nature of SN 2023ixf based on a hydrodynamical modeling of its bolometric light curve and expansion velocities during the complete photospheric phase. Methods. A grid of one dimensional (1D) explosions was calculated for evolved stars of different masses. We derived the properties of SN 2023ixf and its progenitor by comparing our models with the observations. Results. The observations at t ≳ 20 days are aptly reproduced by the explosion of a star with zero-age main sequence mass of MZAMS = 12 M⊙, an explosion energy of 1.2 × 1051 erg, and a nickel mass of 0.05 M⊙. This indicates that SN 2023ixf was a normal event. Our modeling suggests a limit of MZAMS < 15 M⊙, thereby favouring the low-mass range among the results from pre-explosion observations.

Circumstellar material ejected violently by a massive star immediately before its death

Type II supernovae represent the most common stellar explosions in the Universe, for which the final stage evolution of their hydrogen-rich massive progenitors towards core-collapse explosion are elusive. The recent explosion of SN 2023ixf in a very nearby galaxy, Messier 101, provides a rare opportunity to explore this longstanding issue. With the timely high-cadence flash spectra taken within 1–5 days after the explosion, we can put stringent constraints on the properties of the surrounding circumstellar material around this supernova. Based on the rapid fading of the narrow emission lines and luminosity/profile of Hα emission at very early times, we estimate that the progenitor of SN 2023ixf lost material at a mass-loss rate Ṁ≈6×10-4M⊙a-1 over the last 2–3 years before explosion. This close-by material, moving at a velocity vw≈55kms-1, accumulates a compact CSM shell at the radius smaller than 7×1014 cm from the progenitor. Given the high mass-loss rate and relatively large wind velocity presented here, together with the pre-explosion observations made about two decades ago, the progenitor of SN 2023ixf could be a short-lived yellow hypergiant that evolved from a red supergiant shortly before the explosion.

Still Brighter than Pre-explosion, SN 2012Z Did Not Disappear: Comparing Hubble Space Telescope Observations a Decade Apart

Abstract Type Iax supernovae (SNe Iax) represent the largest class of peculiar white dwarf supernovae. The type Iax SN 2012Z in NGC 1309 is the only white dwarf supernova with a detected progenitor system in pre-explosion observations. Deep Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images taken before SN 2012Z show a luminous, blue source that we have interpreted as a helium-star companion (donor) to the exploding white dwarf. We present here late-time HST observations taken ∼1400 days after the explosion to test this model. We find the SN light curve can empirically be fit by an exponential-decay model in magnitude units. The fitted asymptotic brightness is within 10% of our latest measurements and approximately twice the brightness of the pre-explosion source. The decline of the light curve is too slow to be powered by 56Co or 57Co decay: if radioactive decay is the dominate power source, it must be from longer half-life species like 55Fe. Interaction with circumstellar material may contribute to the light curve, as may shock heating of the companion star. Companion-star models underpredict the observed flux in the optical, producing most of their flux in the UV at these epochs. A radioactively heated bound remnant, left after only a partial disruption of the white dwarf, is also capable of producing the observed excess late-time flux. Our analysis suggests that the total ejecta + remnant mass is consistent with the Chandrasekhar mass for a range of SNe Iax.

Type IIP Supernova Progenitors. II. Stellar Mass and Obscuration by the Dust in the Circumstellar Medium

Abstract It has been well established from a variety of observations that red supergiants (RSGs) lose a lot of mass in stellar wind. Dust that has formed in this emitted gas over a few decades before core-collapse can lead to substantial extinction and obscure the intrinsic luminosity of the progenitor RSG. This may lead to a difficulty in determining the range of progenitor masses that lead to the different classes of supernovae. Even nearby, well-studied supernovae with pre-explosion observations, such as SN 2013ej, may suffer from this uncertainty in the progenitor mass. We explore here two different masses proposed for its progenitor. We compute their pre-supernova characteristics using Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics. We show that a non-rotating star with an initial mass of 26 M ⊙ would require a considerable amount of circumstellar medium (A V ∼ 3) to obscure its high luminosity given the observed pre-explosion magnitudes detected by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Such a high value of visual extinction appears to be inconsistent with that derived for SN 2013ej as well as SN 2003gd in the same host galaxy, M74. In contrast, the evolutionary models of a lower mass (13 M ⊙) star are easily accommodated within the observed HST magnitudes. Some of the 26 M ⊙ simulations show luminosity variation in the last few years, which could be discriminated by high-cadence and multiband monitoring of supernova candidates in nearby galaxies. We demonstrate that our calculations are well resolved with adequate zoning and evolutionary time steps.

The radial distribution of supernovae compared to star formation tracers

ABSTRACT Given the limited availability of direct evidence (pre-explosion observations) for supernova (SN) progenitors, the location of supernovae (SNe) within their host galaxies can be used to set limits on one of their most fundamental characteristics, their initial progenitor mass. We present our constraints on SN progenitors derived by comparing the radial distributions of 80 SNe in the Survey for Ionised Neutral Gas Galaxies (SINGG) and Survey of Ultraviolet emission in Neutral Gas Galaxies (SUNGG) to the R-band, H α, and UV light distributions of the 55 host galaxies. The strong correlation of Type Ia SNe with R-band light is consistent with models containing only low-mass progenitors, reflecting earlier findings. When we limit the analysis of Type II SNe to apertures containing 90 per cent of the total flux, the radial distribution of these SNe best traces far-ultraviolet emission, consistent with recent direct detections indicating Type II SNe have moderately massive red supergiant progenitors. Stripped-envelope (SE) SNe have the strongest correlation with H α fluxes, indicative of very massive progenitors (M* ≳ 20 M⊙). This result contradicts a small, but growing, number of direct detections of SE SN progenitors, indicating they are moderately massive binary systems. Our result is consistent, however, with a recent population analysis, suggesting binary SE SN progenitor masses are regularly underestimated. SE SNe are centralized with respect to Type II SNe and there are no SE SNe recorded beyond half the maximum disc radius in the optical and one third the disc radius in the ultraviolet. The absence of SE SNe beyond these distances is consistent with reduced massive star formation efficiencies in the outskirts of the host galaxies.

The very young resolved stellar populations around stripped-envelope supernovae

The massive star origins for Type IIP supernovae (SNe) have been established through direct detection of their red supergiants progenitors in pre-explosion observations; however, there has been limited success in the detection of the progenitors of H-deficient SNe. The final fate of more massive stars, capable of undergoing a Wolf-Rayet phase, and the origins of Type Ibc SNe remains debated, including the relative importance of single massive star progenitors or lower mass stars stripped in binaries. We present an analysis of the ages and spatial distributions of massive stars around the sites of 23 stripped-envelope SNe, as observed with the Hubble Space Telescope, to probe the possible origins of the progenitors of these events. Using a Bayesian stellar populations analysis scheme, we find characteristic ages for the populations observed within $150\,\mathrm{pc}$ of the target Type IIb, Ib and Ic SNe to be $\log (t) = 7.20$, $7.05$ and $6.57$, respectively. The Type Ic SNe in the sample are nearly all observed within $100\,\mathrm{pc}$ of young, dense stellar populations. The environment around SN 2002ap is an important exception both in terms of age and spatial properties. These findings may support the hypothesis that stars with $M_{init} > 30M_{\odot}$ produce a relatively large proportion of Type Ibc SNe, and that these SN subtypes arise from progressively more massive progenitors. Significantly higher extinctions are derived towards the populations hosting these SNe than previously used in analysis of constraints from pre-explosion observations. The large initial masses inferred for the progenitors are in stark contrast with the low ejecta masses estimated from SN light curves.

Systematic survey of the effects of wind mass loss algorithms on the evolution of single massive stars

Mass loss is a key uncertainty in the evolution of massive stars. Stellar evolution calculations must employ parametric algorithms for mass loss, and usually only include stellar winds. We carry out a parameter study of the effects of wind mass loss on massive star evolution using the open-source stellar evolution code MESA. We provide a systematic comparison of wind mass loss algorithms for solar-metallicity, nonrotating, single stars in the initial mass range of $15-35\,M_\odot$. We consider combinations drawn from two hot phase algorithms, three cool phase algorithms, and two Wolf-Rayet algorithms. We consider linear wind efficiency scale factors of $1$, $0.33$, and $0.1$ to account for reductions in mass loss rates due to wind inhomogeneities. We find that the initial to final mass mapping for each zero-age main-sequence (ZAMS) mass has a $\sim 50\%$ uncertainty if all algorithm combinations and wind efficiencies are considered. The ad-hoc efficiency scale factor dominates this uncertainty. While the final total mass and internal structure of our models vary tremendously with mass loss treatment, final observable parameters are much less sensitive for ZAMS mass $\lesssim 30\,M_\odot$. This indicates that uncertainty in wind mass loss does not negatively affect estimates of the ZAMS mass of most single-star supernova progenitors from pre-explosion observations. Furthermore, we show that the internal structure of presupernova stars is sensitive to variations in both main sequence and post main-sequence mass loss. We find that the compactness parameter $\xi\propto M/R(M)$ varies by as much as $30\%$ for a given ZAMS mass evolved with different wind efficiencies and mass loss algorithm combinations. [abridged]

SN 2015bh: an LBV becomes NGC 2770s fourth SN. . . or not?

AbstractMassive stars in the final phases of their lives frequently expel large amounts of material. An interesting example is SN 2009ip that varied in brightness years before its possible core-collapse. Here we present SN 2015bh in NGC 2770 that shows striking similarities to SN 2009ip. It experienced frequent variabilities for 21 years before a smaller precursor and the “main event” in May 2015. Its spectra are consistent with an LBV during the outburst phase and show a complex P-Cygni profile during the main event. Both SN 2009ip and 2015bh were always situated red-wards of LBVs in outburst in the HR diagram. Their final fate is currently still uncertain, SN 2009ip, however, is now fainter than in pre-explosion observations. If the star survives this event it is undoubtedly altered, and we suggest that these “zombie stars” could be LBVs evolving into a Wolf-Rayet (WR) star over a very short timescale.

PTF13efv—AN OUTBURST 500 DAYS PRIOR TO THE SNHUNT 275 EXPLOSION AND ITS RADIATIVE EFFICIENCY

ABSTRACT The progenitors of some supernovae (SNe) exhibit outbursts with super-Eddington luminosities prior to their final explosions. This behavior is common among SNe IIn, but the driving mechanisms of these precursors are not yet well-understood. SNHunt 275 was announced as a possible new SN during 2015 May. Here we report on pre-explosion observations of the location of this event by the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) and report the detection of a precursor about 500 days prior to the 2015 May activity (PTF 13efv). The observed velocities in the 2015 transient and its 2013 precursor absorption spectra are low (1000–2000 km s−1), so it is not clear yet if the recent activity indeed marks the final disruption of the progenitor. Regardless of the nature of this event, we use the PTF photometric and spectral observations, as well as Swift-UVOT observations, to constrain the efficiency of the radiated energy relative to the total kinetic energy of the precursor. We find that, using an order-of-magnitude estimate and under the assumption of spherical symmetry, the ratio of the radiated energy to the kinetic energy is in the range of 4 × 10−2 to 3.4 × 103.

SEARCH FOR PRECURSOR ERUPTIONS AMONG TYPE IIB SUPERNOVAE

The progenitor stars of several Type IIb supernovae (SNe) show indications for extended hydrogen envelopes. These envelopes might be the outcome of luminous energetic pre-explosion events, so-called precursor eruptions. We use the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) pre-explosion observations of a sample of 27 nearby Type IIb SNe to look for such precursors during the final years prior to the SN explosion. No precursors are found when combining the observations in 15-day bins, and we calculate the absolute-magnitude-dependent upper limit on the precursor rate. At the 90% confidence level, Type IIb SNe have on average $<0.86$ precursors as bright as absolute $R$-band magnitude $-14$ in the final 3.5 years before the explosion and $<0.56$ events over the final year. In contrast, precursors among SNe IIn have a $\gtrsim 5$ times higher rate. The kinetic energy required to unbind a low-mass stellar envelope is comparable to the radiated energy of a few-weeks-long precursor which would be detectable for the closest SNe in our sample. Therefore, mass ejections, if they are common in such SNe, are radiatively inefficient or have durations longer than months. Indeed, when using 60-day bins a faint precursor candidate is detected prior to SN 2012cs ($\sim2$% false-alarm probability). We also report the detection of the progenitor of SN 2011dh which does not show detectable variability over the final two years before the explosion. The suggested progenitor of SN 2012P is still present, and hence is likely a compact star cluster, or an unrelated object.

PRE-EXPLOSION COMPANION STARS IN TYPE Iax SUPERNOVAE

Type Iax supernovae (SNe Iax) are proposed as one new sub-class of SNe Ia since they present observational properties that are sufficiently distinct from the bulk of SNe Ia. SNe Iax are the most common of all types of peculiar SNe by both number and rate, with an estimated rate of occurrence of about 5-30% of the total SN Ia rate. However, the progenitor systems of SNe Iax are still uncertain. Analyzing pre-explosion images at SN Iax positions provides a direct way to place strong constraints on the nature of progenitor systems of SNe Iax. In this work, we predict pre-explosion properties of binary companion stars in a variety of potential progenitor systems by performing detailed binary evolution calculations with the one-dimensional stellar evolution code STARS. This will be helpful for constraining progenitor systems of SNe Iax from their pre-explosion observations. With our binary evolution calculations, it is found that the non-degenerate helium (He) companion star to both a massive C/O WD (> 1.1 solar mass) and a hybrid C/O/Ne WD can provide an explanation for the observations of SN~2012Z-S1, but the hybrid WD+He star scenario is more favorable.

Upper limits on the luminosity of the progenitor of Type Ia supernova SN 2014J

We analysed archival data of Chandra pre-explosion observations of the position of SN2014J in M82. No X-ray source at this position was detected in the data, and we calculated upper limits on the luminosities of the progenitor. These upper limits allow us to firmly rule out an unobscured supersoft X-ray source progenitor with a photospheric radius comparable to the radius of white dwarf near the Chandrasekhar mass (~1.38 M_sun) and mass accretion rate in the interval where stable nuclear burning can occur. However, due to a relatively large hydrogen column density implied by optical observations of the supernova, we cannot exclude a supersoft source with lower temperatures, kT < 80 eV. We find that the supernova is located in the centre of a large structure of soft diffuse emission, about 200 pc across. The mass, ~3x10^4 M_sun and short cooling time of the gas, tau_cool ~ 8 Myrs, suggest that it is a supernova-inflated super-bubble, associated with the region of recent star formation. If SN2014J is indeed located inside the bubble, it likely belongs to the prompt population of type Ia supernovae, with a delay time as short as ~ 50 Myrs. Finally, we analysed the one existing post-supernova Chandra observation and placed upper limit of ~ (1-2) 10^37 erg/s on the X-ray luminosity of the supernova itself.

A late-time view of the progenitors of five Type IIP supernovae

The acquisition of late-time imaging is an important step in the analysis of pre-explosion observations of the progenitors of supernovae. We present late-time HST ACS WFC observations of the sites of five Type IIP SNe: 1999ev, 2003gd, 2004A, 2005cs and 2006my. Observations were conducted using the F435W, F555W and F814W filters. We confirm the progenitor identifications for SNe 2003gd, 2004A and 2005cs, through their disappearance. We find that a source previously excluded as being the progenitor of SN 2006my has now disappeared. The late-time observations of the site of SN 1999ev cast significant doubt over the nature of the source previously identified as the progenitor in pre-explosion WFPC2 images. The use of image subtraction techniques yields improved precision over photometry conducted on just the pre-explosion images alone. In particular, we note the increased depth of detection limits derived on pre-explosion frames in conjunction with late-time images. We use SED fitting techniques to explore the effect of different reddening components towards the progenitors. For SNe 2003gd and 2005cs, the pre-explosion observations are sufficiently constraining that only limited amounts of dust (either interstellar or circumstellar) are permitted. Assuming only a Galactic reddening law, we determine the initial masses for the progenitors of SNe 2003gd, 2004A, 2005cs and 2006my of 8.4+/-2.0, 12.0+/-2.1, 9.5(+3.4,-2.2) and 9.8+/-1.7Msun, respectively.

A new precise mass for the progenitor of the Type IIP SN 2008bk★†‡

The progenitor of the Type IIP SN 2008bk was discovered in pre-explosion g'r'i'IYJHKs images, acquired with European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope FORS, HAWK-I and ISAAC instruments and the Gemini GMOS-S instrument. The wealth of pre-explosion observations makes the progenitor of this SN one of the best studied, since the detection of the progenitor of SN1987A. Previous analyses of the properties of the progenitor were hampered by the limited quality of the photometric calibration of the pre-explosion images and the crowded nature of the field containing the SN. We present new late-time observations of the site of SN2008bk acquired with identical instrument and filter configurations as the pre-explosion observations, and confirm that the previously identified red supergiant star was the progenitor of this SN and has now disappeared. Image subtraction techniques were used to conduct precise photometry of the now missing progenitor, independently of blending from any nearby stars. The nature of the surrounding stellar population and their contribution to the flux attributed to the progenitor in the pre-explosion images are probed using HST WFC3 UVIS/IR observations. In comparison with MARCS synthetic spectra, we find the progenitor was a highly reddened RSG with luminosity log (L/Lsun)=4.84+/-0.11, corresponding to an initial mass of Minit=12.9+/-1.7Msun. The temperature of the progenitor was hotter than previously expected for RSGs (T ~ 4330K), but consistent with new temperatures derived for RSGs using SED fitting techniques. We show that there is evidence for significant extinction of the progenitor, possibly arising in the CSM; but that this dust yields a similar reddening law to dust found in the ISM (E(B-V)=0.77 with Rv=3.1). [Abridged]

Upper limits on bolometric luminosities of three Type Ia supernova progenitors: new results in the ongoing Chandra archival search for Type Ia supernova progenitors

We present analysis of Chandra archival, pre-explosion data of the positions of three nearby (< 25 Mpc) type Ia supernovae, SN2011iv, SN2012cu & SN2012fr. No sources corresponding to the progenitors were found in any of the observations. Combining all sources with well defined backgrounds does not reveal any evidence for X-ray emission from the progenitors either. We calculated upper limits on the bolometric luminosities of the progenitors, under the assumption that they were black bodies with effective temperatures between 30 and 150 eV, corresponding to 'canonical' supersoft X-ray sources. The upper limits of SN2012fr straddles the Eddington luminosity of canonical supersoft sources, but fainter canonical supersoft sources cannot be ruled out by this study. We also compare our upper limits with known compact binary supersoft X-ray sources. This study is a continuation of the campaign to directly detect or constrain the X-ray characteristics of pre-explosion observations of nearby type Ia supernova progenitors; with the results reported in Nielsen, Voss & Nelemans (see reference in Introduction), the number of nearby type Ia supernovae for which pre-explosion images are available in the Chandra archive is now 13 and counting.

A BINARY PROGENITOR FOR THE TYPE IIb SUPERNOVA 2011dh IN M51

We perform binary stellar evolutionary calculations following the simultaneous evolution of both stars in the system to study a potential progenitor system for the Type IIb supernova 2011dh. Pre-explosion photometry as well as light-curve modeling have provided constraints on the physical properties of the progenitor system. Here we present a close binary system that is compatible with such constraints. The system is formed by stars of solar composition with 16 Msun + 10 Msun on a circular orbit with an initial period of 125 days. The primary star ends its evolution as a yellow supergiant with a mass of ~4 Msun, a final hydrogen content of ~3-5E-03 Msun and with an effective temperature and luminosity in agreement with the HST pre-explosion observations of SN 2011dh. These results are nearly insensitive to the adopted accretion efficiency factor beta. At the time of explosion, the companion star has an effective temperature of 22 to 40 thousand Kelvin, depending on the value of beta, and lies near the zero age main sequence. Considering the uncertainties in the HST pre-SN photometry the secondary star is only marginally detectable in the bluest observed band. Close binary systems, as opposed to single stars, provide a natural frame to explain the properties of SN 2011dh.

On the nature of the progenitors of three Type II-P supernovae: 2004et, 2006my and 2006ov

The pre-explosion observations of the type II-P supernovae 2006my, 2006ov and 2004et, are re-analysed. In the cases of supernovae 2006my and 2006ov we argue that the published candidate progenitors are not coincident with their respective supernova sites in pre-explosion Hubble Space Telescope observations. We therefore derive upper luminosity and mass limits for the unseen progenitors of both these supernovae, assuming they are red supergiants: 2006my (log L/Lsun = 4.51; mass < 13Msun) and 2006ov (log L/Lsun = 4.29; mass < 10Msun). In the case of supernova 2004et we show that the yellow-supergiant progenitor candidate, originally identified in Canada France Hawaii Telescope images, is still visible ~3 years post-explosion in observations from the William Herschel Telescope. High-resolution Hubble Space Telescope and Gemini (North) adaptive optics late-time imagery reveal that this source is not a single yellow supergiant star, but rather is resolved into at least three distinct sources. We report the discovery of the unresolved progenitor as an excess of flux in pre-explosion Isaac Newton Telescope i'-band imaging. Accounting for the late-time contribution of the supernova using published optical spectra, we calculate the progenitor photometry as the difference between the pre- and post-explosion, ground-based observations. We find the progenitor was most likely a late K to late M-type supergiant of 8 +5/-1 Msun. In all cases we conclude that future, high-resolution observations of the supernova sites will be required to confirm these results.

Progenitor mass of the type IIP supernova 2005cs

Context. The progenitor mass of type IIP supernova can be determined from either hydrodynamic modeling of the event or pre-explosion observations.

Hubble Space Telescopeimaging of the progenitor sites of six nearby core-collapse supernovae

The search for the progenitors of six core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) in archival HST WFPC2 pre-explosion imaging is presented here. These SNe are 1999an, 1999br, 1999ev, 2000ds, 2000ew and 2001B. Post-explosion imaging of the SNe, with the HST ACS/WFC, has been utilised with the technique of differential astrometry to identify the progenitor locations on the pre-explosion imaging. SNe 1999br, 1999ev, 2000ew and 2001B are recovered in late time imaging and an estimate of the progenitor location on the pre-explosion imaging, with sub-pixel accuracy, has been made. Only the progenitor of the type II-P SN 1999ev has been recovered, on pre-explosion F555W imaging, at a $4.8\sigma$ significance level. Assuming a red supergiant progenitor, the pre-explosion observation is consistent with $M_{ZAMS}=15-18M_{\odot}$. The progenitors of the other five SNe were below the $3\sigma$ detection threshold of the pre-explosion observations. The detection thresholds were translated to mass limits for the progenitors by comparison with stellar evolution models. Pre-explosion observations of the peculiarly faint SN 1999br limit the mass of a red supergiant progenitor to $M_{ZAMS} < 12M_{\odot}$. Analysis has been extended, from previous studies, to include possible detections of high-$\mathrm{T_{eff}}$, high-mass stars by conducting synthetic photometry of model Wolf-Rayet star spectra. The mass limits for the type II-P SNe 1999an and 1999br are consistent with the previously determined mass limits for this type of SN. The detection limits for the progenitors of the type Ibc SNe (2000ds, 2000ew and 2001B) do not permit differentiation between high-mass WR progenitors or low mass progenitors in binaries.

The Progenitor of Supernova 1993J Revisited11Based on observations made with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained in part from the data archive of the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under NASA contract NAS 5‐26555.

ABSTRACTFrom Hubble Space Telescope images with 0 .″05 resolution, we identify four stars brighter than V = 25 mag within 2 .″5 of SN 1993J in M81, which contaminated previous ground‐based brightness estimates for the supernova progenitor. Correcting for the contamination, we find that the energy distribution of the progenitor is consistent with that of an early K‐type supergiant star with MV ≈ -7.0 ± 0.4 mag and an initial mass of 13–22 M⊙. The brightnesses of the nearby stars are sufficient to account for the excess blue light seen from the ground in preexplosion observations. Therefore, the SN 1993J progenitor did not necessarily have a blue companion, although by 2001, fainter blue stars are seen in close proximity to the supernova. These observations do not strongly limit the mass of a hypothetical companion. A blue dwarf star with a mass up to 30 M⊙ could have been orbiting the progenitor without being detected in the ground‐based images. Explosion models and observations show that SN 1993J progenitor had a helium‐rich envelope. To test whether the helium abundance could influence the energy distribution of the progenitor, we calculated model supergiant atmospheres with a range of plausible helium abundances. The models show that the presupernova colors are not strongly affected by the helium abundance longward of 4000 Å, and abundances ranging between solar and 90% helium (by number) are all consistent with the observations.