Precursor Outburst Research Articles

SN 2020pvb: A Type IIn-P supernova with a precursor outburst

We present photometric and spectroscopic datasets for SN 2020pvb, a Type IIn-P supernova (SN) that is similar to SNe 1994W, 2005cl, 2009kn, and 2011ht, with a precursor outburst detected (PS1 w band ∼–13.8 mag) around four months before the B-band maximum light. SN 2020pvb presents a relatively bright light curve that peaked at MB = −17.95 ± 0.30 mag and a plateau that lasted at least 40 days before going into solar conjunction. After this, the object was no longer visible at phases > 150 days above –12.5 mag in the B band, suggesting that the SN 2020pvb ejecta interact with a dense, spatially confined circumstellar envelope. SN 2020pvb shows strong Balmer lines and a forest of Fe II lines with narrow P Cygni profiles in its spectra. Using archival images from the Hubble Space Telescope, we constrained the progenitor of SN 2020pvb to have a luminosity of log(L/L⊙)≲5.4, ruling out any single star progenitor over 50 M⊙. SN 2020pvb is a Type IIn-P whose progenitor star had an outburst ∼0.5 yr before the final explosion; the material lost during this outburst probably plays a role in shaping the physical properties of the SN.

A Comprehensive Optical Search for Pre-explosion Outbursts from the Quiescent Progenitor of SN 2023ixf

We perform a comprehensive search for optical precursor emission at the position of SN 2023ixf using data from the DLT40, ZTF, and ATLAS surveys. By comparing the current data set with precursor outburst hydrodynamical model light curves, we find that the probability of a significant outburst within 5 yr of explosion is low, and the circumstellar material (CSM) ejected during any possible precursor outburst is likely smaller than ∼0.015M ⊙. By comparing to a set of toy models, we find that, if there was a precursor outburst, the duration must have been shorter than ∼100 days for a typical brightness of M r ≃ −9 mag or shorter than 200 days for M r ≃ −8 mag; brighter, longer outbursts would have been discovered. Precursor activity like that observed in the normal Type II SN 2020tlf (M r ≃ −11.5) can be excluded in SN 2023ixf. If the dense CSM inferred by early flash spectroscopy and other studies is related to one or more precursor outbursts, then our observations indicate that any such outburst would have to be faint and only last for days to months, or it occurred more than 5 yr prior to the explosion. Alternatively, any dense, confined CSM may not be due to eruptive mass loss from a single red supergiant progenitor. Taken together, the results of SN 2023ixf and SN 2020tlf indicate that there may be more than one physical mechanism behind the dense CSM inferred around some normal Type II supernovae.

2021 superoutburst of the WZ Sge-type dwarf nova V627 Pegasi lacks an early superhump phase

Abstract Superoutbursts in WZ Sge-type dwarf novae (DNe) are characterized by both early superhumps and ordinary superhumps originating from the 2 : 1 and 3 : 1 resonances, respectively. However, some WZ Sge-type DNe show a superoutburst lacking early superhumps; it is not well established how these differ from superoutbursts with an early superhump phase. We report time-resolved photometric observations of the WZ Sge-type DN V627 Peg during its 2021 superoutburst. The detection of ordinary superhumps before the superoutburst peak highlights that this 2021 superoutburst of V627 Peg, like that in 2014, did not feature an early superhump phase. The duration of stage B superhumps was slightly longer in the 2010 superoutburst accompanied by early superhumps than that in the 2014 and 2021 superoutbursts, which lacked early superhumps. This result suggests that an accretion disk experiencing the 2 : 1 resonance may have a larger mass at the inner part of the disk and hence needs more time for the inner disk to become eccentric. The presence of a precursor outburst in the 2021 superoutburst suggests that the maximum disk radius should be smaller than that of the 2014 superoutburst, even though the duration of quiescence was longer than that before the 2021 superoutburst. This could be accomplished if the 2021 superoutburst was triggered as an inside-out outburst or if the mass transfer rate in quiescence changes by a factor of two, suggesting that the outburst mechanism and quiescence state of WZ Sge-type DNe may have more variety than ever thought.

Transient behaviour of three SU UMa-type dwarf novae: AR Pic, QW Ser, and V521 Peg

ABSTRACT Changes in the supercycle lengths of some SU UMa-type dwarf novae have been detected by other studies, and indicate that the mass transfer rates noticeably decrease over time. We investigated the supercycle lengths of three SU UMa-type dwarf novae: AR Pic, QW Ser, and V521 Peg, to determine if they have detectable changes in their supercycles. We present the results of optical spectroscopic and photometric observations of these sources. Our observations were conducted in 2016 and 2017 at the Boyden Observatory and the Sutherland station of the South African Astronomical Observatory. The quiescent results indicated that all three sources are typical SU UMa-type dwarf novae. We also present results of AR Pic and QW Ser in outburst and of V521 Peg during a precursor outburst and superoutburst. Light curves were supplemented by the Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey, the ASAS-3 and ASAS-SN archives, and the AAVSO International Database in order to investigate the long-term behaviour of these sources. Our results combined with catalogued properties for all short-period dwarf novae show a possible relationship between the supercycle time in SU UMa systems and their orbital periods, which is interpreted as the decline in the mass transfer rate as systems evolve towards and away from the ‘period minimum’. At the shortest orbital periods, SU UMa systems are almost indistinguishable from WZ Sge systems. However, we propose that the scaleheight between the secondary’s photosphere and L1 may be a factor that distinguish the SU UMa subclasses.

Discovery of a Short-period and Unusually Helium-deficient Dwarf Nova KSP-OT-201701a by the KMTNet Supernova Program

Abstract We present the first ever discovery of a short-period and unusually helium-deficient dwarf nova KSP-OT-201701a by the Korea Microlensing Telescope Network Supernova Program. The source shows three superoutbursts, each led by a precursor outburst, and several normal outbursts in BVI during the span of ∼2.6 yr with supercycle and normal cycle lengths of about 360 and 76 days, respectively. Spectroscopic observations near the end of a superoutburst reveal the presence of strong double-peaked H i emission lines together with weak He i emission lines. The helium-to-hydrogen intensity ratios measured by He i λ5876 and Hα lines are 0.10 ± 0.01 at a quiescent phase and 0.26 ± 0.04 at an outburst phase, similar to the ratios found in long-period dwarf novae, while significantly lower than those in helium cataclysmic variables (He CVs). Its orbital period of 51.91 ± 2.50 minutes, which is estimated based on time-series spectroscopy, is a bit shorter than the superhump period of 56.52 ± 0.19 minutes, as expected from the gravitational interaction between the eccentric disk and the secondary star. We measure its mass ratio to be 0.37 − 0.21 + 0.32 using the superhump period excess of 0.089 ± 0.053. The short orbital period, which is under the period minimum, the unusual helium deficiency, and the large mass ratio suggest that KSP-OT-201701a is a transition object evolving to an He CV from a long-period dwarf nova with an evolved secondary star.

Radiation-Driven Stellar Eruptions

Very massive stars occasionally expel material in colossal eruptions, driven by continuum radiation pressure rather than blast waves. Some of them rival supernovae in total radiative output, and the mass loss is crucial for subsequent evolution. Some are supernova impostors, including SN precursor outbursts, while others are true SN events shrouded by material that was ejected earlier. Luminous Blue Variable stars (LBV’s) are traditionally cited in relation with giant eruptions, though this connection is not well established. After four decades of research, the fundamental causes of giant eruptions and LBV events remain elusive. This review outlines the basic relevant physics, with a brief summary of essential observational facts. Reasons are described for the spectrum and emergent radiation temperature of an opaque outflow. Proposed mechanisms are noted for instabilities in the star’s photosphere, in its iron opacity peak zones, and in its central region. Various remarks and conjectures are mentioned, some of them relatively unfamiliar in the published literature.

CS Indi: SU UMa-type dwarf nova with long precursor outburst

Abstract We observed the 2018 November outburst of CS Ind and confirmed that it was a genuine superoutburst with a very long [0.12471(1) d on average] superhump period. The superoutburst was preceded by a long precursor, which was recorded for the first time in SU UMa-type dwarf novae. Our interpretation is that the combination of a sufficient amount of mass in the disk before the ignition of the outburst and the slow development of tidal instability near the borderline of the 3 : 1 resonance caused a cooling front to start before the full development of tidal instability. This finding provides more support to the recent interpretation of slow development of the tidal instability causing various phenomena similar to WZ Sge-type dwarf novae in SU UMa-type dwarf novae with very long orbital periods.

Connecting the progenitors, pre-explosion variability and giant outbursts of luminous blue variables with Gaia16cfr

We present multi-epoch, multi-colour pre-outburst photometry and post-outburst light curves and spectra of the luminous blue variable (LBV) outburst Gaia16cfr discovered by the Gaia satellite on 1 December 2016. We detect Gaia16cfr in 13 epochs of Hubble Space Telescope imaging spanning phases of 10 yr to 8 months before the outburst and in Spitzer Space Telescope imaging 13 years before outburst. Pre-outburst optical photometry is consistent with an 18 Msun F8 I star, although the star was likely reddened and closer to 30 Msun. The pre-outburst source exhibited a significant near-infrared excess consistent with a 120 AU shell with 4x10-6 Msun of dust. We infer that the source was enshrouded by an optically-thick and compact shell of circumstellar material from an LBV wind, which formed a pseudo-photosphere consistent with S Dor-like variables in their "maximum" phase. Within a year of outburst, the source was highly variable on 10-30 day timescales. The outburst light curve closely matches that of the 2012 outburst of SN 2009ip, although the observed velocities are significantly slower than in that event. In Halpha, the outburst had an excess of blueshifted emission at late times centred around -1500 km/s, similar to that of double-peaked Type IIn supernovae and the LBV outburst SN 2015bh. From the pre-outburst and post-outburst photometry, we infer that the outburst ejecta are evolving into a dense, highly structured circumstellar environment from precursor outbursts within years of the December 2016 event.

Luminous blue variables and the fates of very massive stars.

Luminous blue variables (LBVs) had long been considered massive stars in transition to the Wolf-Rayet (WR) phase, so their identification as progenitors of some peculiar supernovae (SNe) was surprising. More recently, environment statistics of LBVs show that most of them cannot be in transition to the WR phase after all, because LBVs are more isolated than allowed in this scenario. Additionally, the high-mass H shells around luminous SNe IIn require that some very massive stars above 40 M⊙ die without shedding their H envelopes, and the precursor outbursts are a challenge for understanding the final burning sequences leading to core collapse. Recent evidence suggests a clear continuum in pre-SN mass loss from super-luminous SNe IIn, to regular SNe IIn, to SNe II-L and II-P, whereas most stripped-envelope SNe seem to arise from a separate channel of lower-mass binary stars rather than massive WR stars.This article is part of the themed issue 'Bridging the gap: from massive stars to supernovae'.

Survey of period variations of superhumps in SU UMa-type dwarf novae. IX. The ninth year (2016–2017)

Abstract Continuing the project described by Kato et al. (2009, PASJ, 61, S395), we collected times of superhump maxima for 127 SU UMa-type dwarf novae observed mainly during the 2016–2017 season and characterized these objects. We provide updated statistics of the relation between the orbital period and the variation of superhumps, the relation between period variations and the rebrightening type in WZ Sge-type objects. We obtained the period minimum of 0.05290(2) d and confirmed the presence of the period gap above the orbital period ∼0.09 d. We note that four objects (NY Her, 1RXS J161659.5+620014, CRTS J033349.8−282244, and SDSS J153015.04+094946.3) have supercycles shorter than 100 d but show infrequent normal outbursts. We consider that these objects are similar to V503 Cyg, whose normal outbursts are likely suppressed by a disk tilt. These four objects are excellent candidates to search for negative superhumps. DDE 48 appears to be a member of ER UMa-type dwarf novae. We identified a new eclipsing SU UMa-type object, MASTER OT J220559.40−341434.9. We observed 21 WZ Sge-type dwarf novae during this interval and report 18 of them in this paper. Among them, ASASSN-16js is a good candidate for a period bouncer. ASASSN-16ia showed a precursor outburst for the first time in a WZ Sge-type superoutburst. ASASSN-16kg, CRTS J000130.5+050624, and SDSS J113551.09+532246.2 are located in the period gap. We have newly obtained 15 orbital periods, including periods from early superhumps.

THE POSSIBLE DETECTION OF A BINARY COMPANION TO A TYPE IBN SUPERNOVA PROGENITOR

ABSTRACT We present late-time observations of the site of the Type Ibn supernova (SN) 2006jc, acquired with the Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys. A faint blue source is recovered at the SN position, with brightness , and mag, although there is no detection in a contemporaneous narrow-band image. The spectral energy distribution of the late-time source is well-fit by a stellar-like spectrum ( and ), subject to only a small degree of reddening—consistent with that estimated for SN 2006jc itself at early-times. The lack of further outbursts after the explosion of SN 2006jc suggests that the precursor outburst originated from the progenitor. The possibility of the source being a compact host cluster is ruled out on the basis of the source’s faintness; however, the possibility that the late-time source may be an unresolved light echo originating in a shell or sphere of pre-SN dust (within a radius ) is also discussed. Irrespective of the nature of the late-time source, these observations rule out a luminous blue variable as a companion to the progenitor of SN 2006jc.

Superoutburst of CR Bootis: Estimation of mass ratio of a typical AM CVn star by stage A superhumps

AbstractWe report on two superoutbursts of the AM CVn-type object CR Boo in 2014 April–March and 2015 May–June. A precursor outburst accompanied both of these superoutbursts. During the rising branch of the main superoutburst in 2014, we detected growing superhumps (stage A superhumps) whose period was 0.017669(24) d. Assuming that this period reflects the dynamical precession rate at the radius of the 3:1 resonance, we could estimate the mass ratio (q = M2/M1) of 0.101(4) by using the stage A superhump period and the orbital period of 0.0170290(6) d. This mass ratio is consistent with that expected from the theoretical evolutionary model of AM CVn-type objects. The detection of precursor outbursts and stage A superhumps is the second case in AM CVn-type objects. There are two interpretations of the outbursts of AM CVn-type objects. One is a dwarf nova (DN) outbursts analogy, which suggets that the outbursts are caused by thermal and tidal instabilities. Another is the VY Scl-type variation, which suggests that the outbursts are caused by the variation of the mass-transfer rate of the secondary.This detection of the superhump variations strongly supports the former interpretation.

PM J03338+3320: Long-period superhumps in growing phase following a separate precursor outburst

Abstract We observed the first-ever recorded outburst of PM J03338+3320, the cataclysmic variable selected by proper-motion survey. The outburst was composed of a precursor and the main superoutburst. The precursor outburst occurred at least 5 d before the maximum of the main superoutburst. Despite this separation, long-period superhumps were continuously seen between the precursor and main superoutburst. The period of these superhumps is longer than its orbital period by 6.0(1)% and can be interpreted to reflect the dynamical precession rate at the 3 : 1 resonance for a mass ratio of 0.172(4). These superhumps smoothly evolved into those in the main superoutburst. These observations provide the clearest evidence that the 3 : 1 resonance is triggered by the precursor outburst, even if it is well separated, and the resonance eventually causes the main superoutburst as predicted by the thermaltidal instability model. The presence of superhumps well before the superoutburst cannot be explained by alternative models (the enhanced mass-transfer model and the pure thermal instability one) and the present observations clearly support the thermaltidal instability model.

SERENDIPITOUS DISCOVERY OF A DWARF NOVA IN THEKEPLERFIELD NEAR THE G DWARF KIC 5438845

The Kepler satellite provides a unique window into stellar temporal variability by observing a wide variety of stars with multi-year, near-continuous, high precision, optical photometric time series. While most Kepler targets are faint stars with poorly known physical properties, many unexpected discoveries should result from a long photometric survey of such a large area of sky. During our Kepler Guest Observer programs that monitored late-type stars for starspot and flaring variability, we discovered a previously unknown dwarf nova that lies within a few arcseconds of the mid-G dwarf star KIC 5438845. This dwarf nova underwent nine outbursts over a 4 year time span. The two largest outbursts lasted ~17–18 days and show strong modulations with a 110.8 minute period and a declining amplitude during the outburst decay phase. These properties are characteristic of an SU UMa-type cataclysmic variable. By analogy with other dwarf nova light curves, we associate the 110.8 minute (1.847 hr) period with the superhump period, close to but slightly longer than the orbital period of the binary. No precursor outbursts are seen before the super-outbursts and the overall super-outburst morphology corresponds to Osaki & Meyer Case B outbursts, which are initiated when the outer edge of the disk reaches the tidal truncation radius. Case B outbursts are rare within the Kepler light curves of dwarf novae. The dwarf nova is undergoing relatively slow mass transfer, as evidenced by the long intervals between outbursts, but the mass transfer rate appears to be steady, because the smaller normal outbursts show a strong correlation between the integrated outburst energy and the elapsed time since the previous outburst. At super-outburst maximum the system was at V ~ 18, but in quiescence it is fainter than V ~ 22, which will make any detailed quiescent follow-up of this system difficult.

CC Sculptoris: Eclipsing SU UMa-type intermediate polar

Abstract We observed the 2014 superoutburst of the SU UMa-type intermediate polar CC Scl. We detected superhumps with a mean period of 0.05998(2) d during the superoutburst plateau and during three nights after the fading. During the post-superoutburst stage after three nights, a stable superhump period of 0.059523(6) d was detected. We found that this object is an eclipsing system with an orbital period of 0.058567233(8) d. By assuming that the disk radius in the post-superoutburst phase is similar to those in other SU UMa-type dwarf novae, we obtained a mass ratio of q = 0.072(3) from the dynamical precession rate of the accretion disk. The eclipse profile during outbursts can be modeled by an inclination of 80 $_{.}^{\circ}$6 ± 0 $_{.}^{\circ}$5. The 2014 superoutburst was preceded by a precursor outburst and the overall appearance of the outburst was similar to superoutbursts in ordinary SU UMa-type dwarf novae. We showed that the standard thermal-tidal instability model can explain the outburst behavior in this system and suggest that inner truncation of the disk by magnetism of the white dwarf does not strongly affect the behavior in the outer part of the disk.

Survey of period variations of superhumps in SU UMa-type dwarf novae. VI. The sixth year (2013–2014)

AbstractContinuing the project undertaken by Kato et al. (2009), we collected times of superhump maxima for 56 SU UMa-type dwarf novae mainly observed during the 2013–2014 season and characterized these objects. We detected negative superhumps in VW Hyi and indicated that the low number of normal outbursts in some supercycles can be interpreted as a result of disk tilt. This finding, combined with the Kepler observation of V1504 Cyg and V344 Lyr, suggests that disk tilt is responsible for modulating the outburst pattern in SU UMa-type dwarf novae. We also studied the deeply eclipsing WZ Sge-type dwarf nova MASTER OT J005740.99+443101.5 and found evidence of a sharp eclipse during the phase of early superhumps. The profile can be reproduced by a combination of the eclipse of the axisymmetric disk and the uneclipsed light source of early superhumps. This finding shows the lack of evidence for a greatly enhanced hot spot during the early stage of WZ Sge-type outburst. We detected growing (stage A) superhumps in MN Dra and give a suggestion that some of SU UMa-type dwarf novae situated near the critical condition of tidal instability may show long-lasting stage A superhumps. The large negative period derivatives reported in such systems can be understood as a result of the combination of stage A and B superhumps. Two WZ Sge-type dwarf novae, AL Com and ASASSN-13ck, showed a long-lasting (plateau-type) rebrightening. In the early phase of their rebrightenings, both objects showed a precursor-like outburst, suggesting that the long-lasting rebrightening is triggered by a precursor outburst.

Superoutburst of SDSS J090221.35+381941.9: First measurement of mass ratio in an AM CVn-type object using growing superhumps

Abstract We report on a superoutburst of the AM CVn-type object SDSS J090221.35+381941.9 [J0902; orbital period 0.03355(6) d] in 2014 March–April. The entire superoutburst consisted of a precursor outburst and the main superoutburst, followed by a short rebrightening. During the rising phase of the main superoutburst, we detected growing superhumps (stage A superhumps) with a period of 0.03409(1) d. During the plateau phase of the superoutburst, superhumps with a shorter period (stage B superhumps) were observed. Using the orbital period and the period of stage A superhumps, we were able to measure the dynamical precession rate of the accretion disk at the 3:1 resonance, and obtained a mass ratio (q) of 0.041(7). This is the first successful measurement of the mass ratio in an AM CVn-type object accomplished by the recently developed stage A superhump method. The value is generally in agreement with that based on the theoretical evolutionary model. The orbital period of J0902 is the longest among those of the outbursting AM CVn-type objects, and a period on the borderline between the outbursting system and the system with a stable cool disk appears to be longer than one supposed.

GALEX J194419.33+491257.0: An unusually active SU UMa-type dwarf nova with a very short orbital period in the Kepler data

Abstract We studied a background dwarf nova of KIC 11412044 in the Kepler public data and identified it with GALEX J194419.33+491257.0. This object turned out to be a very active SU UMa-type dwarf nova that has a mean supercycle of ∼ 150 d and frequent normal outbursts with intervals of 4–10 d. The object showed a strong persistent signal of the orbital variation with a period of 0.0528164(4) d (76.06 min) and superhumps with a typical period of 0.0548 d during its superoutbursts. Most of the superoutbursts were accompanied by a precursor outburst. All these features are unusual for this very short orbital period. We succeeded in detecting an evolving stage of superhumps (stage A superhumps) and obtained a mass ratio of 0.141(2), which is unusually high for this orbital period. We suggest that the unusual outburst properties are a result of this high mass ratio. We suspect that this object is a member of the recently recognized class of cataclysmic variables (CVs) with a stripped core evolved secondary which are evolving toward AM CVn-type CVs. The present determination of the mass ratio by using stage A superhumps is the first case in such systems.

A PANCHROMATIC VIEW OF THE RESTLESS SN 2009ip REVEALS THE EXPLOSIVE EJECTION OF A MASSIVE STAR ENVELOPE

The 2012 explosion of SN2009ip raises questions about our understanding of the late stages of massive star evolution. Here we present a comprehensive study of SN2009ip during its remarkable re-brightening(s). High-cadence photometric and spectroscopic observations from the GeV to the radio band obtained from a variety of ground-based and space facilities (including the VLA, Swift, Fermi, HST and XMM) constrain SN2009ip to be a low energy (E~ 10^50 erg for an ejecta mass ~ 0.5 Msun) and likely asymmetric explosion in a complex medium shaped by multiple eruptions of the restless progenitor star. Most of the energy is radiated as a result of the shock breaking out through a dense shell of material located at 5x10^14 cm with M~0.1 Msun, ejected by the precursor outburst ~40 days before the major explosion. We interpret the NIR excess of emission as signature of dust vaporization of material located further out (R>4x 10^15 cm), the origin of which has to be connected with documented mass loss episodes in the previous years. Our modeling predicts bright neutrino emission associated with the shock break-out if the cosmic ray energy is comparable to the radiated energy. We connect this phenomenology with the explosive ejection of the outer layers of the massive progenitor star, that later interacted with material deposited in the surroundings by previous eruptions. Future observations will reveal if the luminous blue variable (LBV) progenitor star survived. Irrespective of whether the explosion was terminal, SN2009ip brought to light the existence of new channels for sustained episodic mass-loss, the physical origin of which has yet to be identified.

DETECTION OF AN OUTBURST ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE EXPLOSION OF SN 2011ht

Using imaging from the Pan-STARRS1 survey, we identify a precursor outburst at epochs 287 and 170 days prior to the reported explosion of the purported Type IIn supernova (SN) 2011ht. In the Pan-STARRS data, a source coincident with SN 2011ht is detected exclusively in the \zps\ and \yps-bands. An absolute magnitude of M$_z\simeq$-11.8 suggests that this was an outburst of the progenitor star. Unfiltered, archival Catalina Real Time Transient survey images also reveal a coincident source from at least 258 to 138 days before the main event. We suggest that the outburst is likely to be an intrinsically red eruption, although we cannot conclusively exclude a series of erratic outbursts which were observed only in the redder bands by chance. This is only the fourth detection of an outburst prior to a claimed SN, and lends credence to the possibility that many more interacting transients have pre-explosion outbursts, which have been missed by current surveys.