SNe Ibc Research Articles

Optical Observations of the Nearby Type Ia Supernova 2021hpr

We present the optical photometric and spectroscopic observations of the nearby Type Ia supernova (SN) 2021hpr. The observations covered the phase of −14.37 to +63.68 days relative to its maximum luminosity in the B band. The evolution of multiband light/color curves of SN 2021hpr is similar to that of normal Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) with the exception of some phases, especially a plateau phase that appeared in the V − R color curve before peak luminosity, which resembles that of SN 2017cbv. The first spectrum we observed at t ∼ −14.4 days shows a higher velocity for the Si ii λ6355 feature (∼21,000 km s−1) than that of other normal velocity (NV) SNe Ia at the same phase. Based on the Si ii λ6355 velocity of ∼12,420 km s−1 around maximum light, we deduce that SN 2021hpr is a transitional object between high velocity (HV) and NV SNe Ia. Meanwhile, the Si ii λ6355 feature shows a high velocity gradient (HVG) of about 800 km s−1 day−1 from roughly −14.37 to −4.31 days relative to the B-band maximum, which indicates that SN 2021hpr can also be classified as an HVG SN Ia. Despite SN 2021hpr having a higher velocity for the Si ii λ6355 and Ca ii near-IR (NIR) triplet features in its spectra, its evolution is similar to that of SN 2011fe. Including SN 2021hpr, there have been six supernovae observed in the host galaxy NGC 3147; the supernovae explosion rate in the last 50 yr is slightly higher for SNe Ia, while for SNe Ibc and SNe II it is lower than expected rate from the radio data. Inspecting the spectra, we find that SN 2021hpr has a metal-rich (12 + log(O/H) ≈ 8.648) circumstellar environment, where HV SNe tend to reside. Based on the decline rate of SN 2021hpr in the B band, we determine the distance modulus of the host galaxy NGC 3147 using the Phillips relation to be 33.46 ± 0.21 mag, which is close to that found by previous works.

Maximum luminosities of normal stripped-envelope supernovae are brighter than explosion models allow

Context. Stripped-envelope supernovae (SE SNe) of Type Ib and Type Ic are thought to be the result of explosions of massive stars that have lost their outer envelopes. The favored explosion mechanism is via core-collapse, with the shock later revived by neutrino heating. However, there is an upper limit to the amount of radioactive 56Ni that such models can accommodate. Recent studies in the literature point to a tension between the maximum luminosity from such simulations and the observations. Aims. We used a well-characterized sample of SE SNe from the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) Bright Transient Survey (BTS) to scrutinize the observational caveats regarding estimates of the maximum luminosity (and thus the amount of ejected radioactive nickel) for the sample members. Methods. We employed the strict selection criteria for the BTS to collect a sample of spectroscopically classified normal Type Ibc SNe, for which we used the ZTF light curves to determine the maximum luminosity. We culled the sample further based on data quality, shape of the light curves, distances, and colors. Then we examined the uncertainties that may affect the measurements. The methodology of the sample construction based on this BTS sample can be used for other future investigations. Results. We analyzed the observational data, consisting of optical light curves and spectra, for the selected sub-samples. In total, we used 129 Type Ib or Type Ic BTS SNe with an initial rough luminosity distribution peaking at Mr = −17.61 ± 0.72, and where 36% are apparently brighter than the theoretically predicted maximum brightness of Mr = −17.8. When we further culled this sample to ensure that the SNe are normal Type Ibc with good LC data within the Hubble flow, the sample of 94 objects gives Mr = −17.64 ± 0.54. A main uncertainty in absolute magnitude determinations for SNe is the host galaxy extinction correction, but the reddened objects only get more luminous after corrections. If we simply exclude red objects, or those with unusual or uncertain colors, then we are left with 14 objects at Mr = −17.90 ± 0.73, whereof a handful are most certainly brighter than the suggested theoretical limit. The main result of this study is thus that normal SNe Ibc do indeed reach luminosities above 1042.6 erg s−1, which is apparently in conflict with existing explosion models.

A Comparative Study of Host Galaxy Properties between Fast Radio Bursts and Stellar Transients

Abstract Recent arcsecond localizations of fast radio bursts and identifications of their host galaxies confirmed their extragalactic origin. While FRB 121102 resides in the bright region of a dwarf star-forming galaxy, other FRBs reside in more massive galaxies and are related to older stellar populations. We compare the host galaxy properties of nine FRBs with those of several types of stellar transients: from young to old populations, long-duration gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs), superluminous supernovae (SLSNe), SNe Ibc, SNe II, SNe Ia, and short-duration gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs). We find that the stellar mass and star formation rate of the FRB host galaxies, taken as a whole sample, prefer a medium to old population, and are against a young population, similar to LGRBs and SLSNe by a null probability of 0.02. Individually, the host of FRB 121102 is consistent with that of young population objects; the environment of FRB 180924 is similar to that of SGRBs; and the environment of FRB 190523 is similar to those of SNe Ia. These results are consistent with the magnetar engine model for FRBs, if magnetars produced from extreme explosions (GRBs/SLSNe) and those from regular channels (e.g., those producing Galactic magnetars) can both produce FRBs.

Enhanced mass-loss rate evolution of stars with ≳18 M⊙ and missing optically observed type II core-collapse supernovae

ABSTRACT We evolve stellar models with zero-age main-sequence (ZAMS) mass of MZAMS ≳ 18 M⊙ under the assumption that they experience an enhanced mass-loss rate when crossing the instability strip at high luminosities and conclude that most of them end as type Ibc supernovae (SNe Ibc) or dust-obscured SNe II. We explore what level of enhanced mass-loss rate during the instability strip would be necessary to explain the ‘red supergiant problem’. This problem refers to the dearth of observed core-collapse supernovae progenitors with MZAMS ≳ 18 M⊙. Namely, we examine what enhanced mass-loss rate could make it possible for all these stars actually to explode as core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe). We find that the mass-loss rate should increase by a factor of at least about 10. We reach this conclusion by analysing the hydrogen mass in the stellar envelope and the optical depth of the dusty wind at the explosion, and crudely estimate that under our assumptions only about a fifth of these stars explode as unobscured SNe II and SNe IIb. About 10–15 per cent end as obscured SNe II that are infrared-bright but visibly very faint, and the rest, about 65–70 per cent, end as SNe Ibc. However, the statistical uncertainties are still too significant to decide whether many stars with MZAMS ≳ 18 M⊙ do not explode as expected in the neutrino driven explosion mechanism, or whether all of them explode as CCSNe, as expected by the jittering jets explosion mechanism.

Helium giant stars as progenitors of rapidly fading Type Ibc supernovae

ABSTRACT Type I rapidly fading supernovae (RFSNe) appear to originate from hydrogen-free stars with large radii that produce predominantly shock-cooling light curves, in contrast with more typical $^{56}\rm {Ni}$-rich SNe Ibc. However, it remains to be determined what types of stars would produce bright shock-cooling light curves without significant contribution from radioactive nickel. Bare helium stars in the mass range ${\sim }2\hbox{--}4 \, \rm {M}_\odot$ are known to hydrostatically develop radii as large as 100 $\rm {R}_\odot$ or more due to strong He and C shell burning outside of a core with a sharp density gradient. We produce several such stellar models and demonstrate that, when exploded, these helium giants can naturally produce RFSN light curves. Since many prototypical SNe Ibc should come from large-radius stars in this mass range as well, we predict that these RFSNe may be distinct from SNe Ibc solely due to the absence of substantial $^{56}\rm {Ni}$.

Optical observations of the 2002cx-like supernova 2014ek and characterizations of SNe Iax

We present optical observations of supernova (SN) 2014ek discovered during the Tsinghua-NAOC Transient Survey (TNTS), which shows properties that are consistent with those of SN 2002cx-like events (dubbed as SNe Iax). The photometry indicates that it is underluminous compared to normal SNe Ia, with the absolute $V$-band peak magnitude being as $-17.66\pm0.20$ mag. The spectra are characterized by highly ionized Fe III and intermediate-mass elements (IMEs). The expansion velocity of the ejecta is found to be $\sim$5000 km s$^{-1}$ near the maximum light, only half of that measured for normal SNe Ia. The overall spectral evolution is quite similar to SN 2002cx and SN 2005hk, while the absorption features of the main IMEs seem to be relatively weaker. The ${}^{56}$Ni mass synthesized in the explosion is estimated to be about 0.08 M$_{\odot}$ from the pseudo bolometric light curve. Based on a large sample of SNe Iax, we examined the relations between peak luminosity, ejecta velocity, decline rate, and peak $V - R$ color but did not find noticeable correlations between these observables, in particular when a few extreme events like SN 2008ha are excluded in the analysis. For this sample, we also studied the birthplace environments and confirm that they still hold the trend of occurring preferentially in late-type spiral galaxies. Moreover, SNe Iax tend to occur in large star-forming regions of their host galaxies, more similar to SNe Ibc than SNe II, favoring that their progenitors should be associated with very young stellar populations.

Pre-nebular Light Curves of SNe I

Abstract We compare analytic predictions of supernova light curves with recent high-quality data from SN2011fe (Ia), KSN2011b (Ia), and the Palomar Transient Factory and the La Silla-QUEST variability survey (LSQ) (Ia). Because of the steady, fast cadence of observations, KSN2011b provides unique new information on SNe Ia: the smoothness of the light curve, which is consistent with significant large-scale mixing during the explosion, possibly due to 3D effects (e.g., Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities), and provides support for a slowly varying leakage (mean opacity). For a more complex light curve (SN2008D, SN Ib), we separate the luminosity due to multiple causes and indicate the possibility of a radioactive plume. The early rise in luminosity is shown to be affected by the opacity (leakage rate) for thermal and non-thermal radiation. A general derivation of Arnett’s rule again shows that it depends upon all processes heating the plasma, not just radioactive ones, so that SNe Ia will differ from SNe Ibc if the latter have multiple heating processes.

OGLE-2014-SN-131: A long-rising Type Ibn supernova from a massive progenitor

Type Ibn supernovae (SNe Ibn) are thought to be the core-collapse explosions of massive stars whose ejecta interact with He-rich circumstellar material (CSM). We report the discovery of a SN Ibn, with the longest rise-time ever observed, OGLE-2014-SN-131. We discuss the potential powering mechanisms and the progenitor nature of this peculiar stripped-envelope (SE), circumstellar-interacting SN. Optical photometry and spectroscopy were obtained with multiple telescopes including VLT, NTT, and GROND. We compare light curves and spectra with those of other known SNe Ibn and Ibc. CSM velocities are derived from the spectral analysis. The SN light curve is modeled under different assumptions about its powering mechanism (${^{56}}$Ni decay, CSM-interaction, magnetar) in order to estimate the SN progenitor parameters. OGLE-2014-SN-131 spectroscopically resembles SNe Ibn such as SN 2010al. Its peak luminosity and post-peak colors are also similar to those of other SNe Ibn. However, it shows an unprecedentedly long rise-time and a much broader light curve compared to other SNe Ibn. Its bolometric light curve can be reproduced by magnetar and CSM-interaction models, but not by a ${^{56}}$Ni-decay powering model. To explain the unusually long rise-time, the broad light curve, the light curve decline, and the spectra characterized by narrow emission lines, we favor a powering mechanism where the SN ejecta are interacting with a dense CSM. The progenitor of OGLE-2014-SN-131 was likely a Wolf-Rayet star with a mass greater than that of a typical SN Ibn progenitor, which expelled the CSM that the SN is interacting with.

Spatial distribution of different subtypes of core-collapse and thermonuclear supernovae in the galaxies

AbstractThe distributions of supernovae of different types and subtypes along the radius and in z coordinate of galaxies have been studied. We show that among SNe Ia in spiral galaxies, SNe Iax and Ia-norm have, respectively, the largest and smallest concentration to the center; the distributions of SNe Ia-91bg and Ia-91T are similar. A strong concentration of SNe Ibc to the central regions has been confirmed. In spiral galaxies, the supernovae of all types strongly concentrate to the galactic plane; the slight differences in scale height correlate with the extent to which the classes of supernovae are associated with star formation.

On the diversity of superluminous supernovae: ejected mass as the dominant factor

We assemble a sample of 24 hydrogen-poor super-luminous supernovae (SLSNe). Parameterizing the light curve shape through rise and decline timescales shows that the two are highly correlated. Magnetar-powered models can reproduce the correlation, with the diversity in rise and decline rates driven by the diffusion timescale. Circumstellar interaction models can exhibit a similar rise-decline relation, but only for a narrow range of densities, which may be problematic for these models. We find that SLSNe are approximately 3.5 magnitudes brighter and have light curves 3 times broader than SNe Ibc, but that the intrinsic shapes are similar. There are a number of SLSNe with particularly broad light curves, possibly indicating two progenitor channels, but statistical tests do not cleanly separate two populations. The general spectral evolution is also presented. Velocities measured from Fe II are similar for SLSNe and SNe Ibc, suggesting that diffusion time differences are dominated by mass or opacity. Flat velocity evolution in most SLSNe suggests a dense shell of ejecta. If opacities in SLSNe are similar to other SNe Ibc, the average ejected mass is higher by a factor 2-3. Assuming $\kappa=0.1\,$cm$^2\,$g$^{-1}$, we estimate a mean (median) SLSN ejecta mass of 10$\,$M$_\odot$ (6$\,$M$_\odot$), with a range of 3-30$\,$M$_\odot$. Doubling the assumed opacity brings the masses closer to normal SNe Ibc, but with a high-mass tail. The most probable mechanism for generating SLSNe seems to be the core-collapse of a very massive hydrogen-poor star, forming a millisecond magnetar.

Stripped-envelope supernova rates and host-galaxy properties

AbstractThe progenitors of stripped-envelope supernovae (SNe Ibc) remain to be conclsuively identified, but correlations between SN rates and host-galaxy properties can constrain progenitor models. Here, we present one result from a re-analysis of the rates from the Lick Observatory Supernova Search. Galaxies with stellar masses ≲1010 M⊙ are less efficient at producing SNe Ibc than more massive galaxies. Any progenitor scenario must seek to explain this new observation.

Metallicity dependence of Type Ib/c and IIb supernova progenitors in binary systems

AbstractType Ib/c supernovae (SNe Ib/c) are characterized by the lack of prominent hydrogen lines in thespectra, implying that their progenitors have lost most of their hydrogen envelopes by the time of the iron corecollapse. Binary interactions provide an important evolutionary chanel for SNe Ib/c, and recent observations indicatethat the inferred ejecta masses of SNe Ibc are more consistent with the prediction of the binary scenario than that ofthe single star scenario that invokes mass loss as the key evolutionary factor for SNe Ib/c progenitors. So far,theoretical predictions on the detailed properties of SNe Ib/c progenitors in binary systems have been made mostlywith models using solar metallicity. However, unlike the single star scenario, where SNe Ib/c are expected only forsufficiently high metallicity, hydrogen-deficent SN progenitors can be produced via binary interactions at anymetallicity. In this talk, I will discuss theoretical predictions on the metallicity dependence of the SNe Ib/c progenitorstructure, based on evolutionary models of massive binary stars. Sepefically, I will address how the ejecta masses ofSNe Ib and Ic and the ratio of SN Ib/c to SN IIb as well as SN Ib to SN Ic would systematically change as a function ofmetallicity, and which new types of SNe are expected in binary systems at low metallicity.

Comparing the host galaxies of different type supernovae

AbstractWe compare the host galaxies of 902 supernovae, including Type Ia, II and Ibc, which are selected by cross-matching the Asiago Supernova Catalog with the SDSS DR7. We further selected 213 galaxies by requiring the light fraction of spectral observations > 15%, which could represent well the global properties of the galaxies. The diagrams related to Dn(4000), HδA, stellar masses, SFRs and specific SFRs for the SNe hosts show that almost all SNe II and most of SNe Ibc occur in SF galaxies. A significant fraction of SNe Ia occurs in AGNs and Absorp galaxies. These results are compared with those of the 689 comparison galaxies where the SDSS fiber captures < 15% of the total light. These comparison galaxies appear biased towards higher 12+log(O/H) (~0.1dex) at a given stellar mass, suggesting the aperture effect should be kept in mind when the properties of the hosts for different types of SNe are discussed.

Supernova spectra below strong circumstellar interaction

We construct spectra of supernovae interacting strongly with a circumstellar medium (CSM) by adding SN templates, a black-body continuum and an emission-line spectrum. In a Monte Carlo simulation we generate more than 800 spectra, distribute them to 10 different classifiers and study how the different simulation parameters affect the appearance of the spectra. SNe IIn showing some structure over the continuum were characterized as SNe IInS. We demonstrate that the flux ratio of the underlying SN to the continuum fv is the most important parameter determining the spectral classification. Thermonuclear SNe get progressively classified as Ia-CSM, IInS and IIn as fv decreases. The transition between Ia-CSM and IInS occurs at fv~0.2-0.3. It shown that SNe Ia-CSM are found at the magnitude range -19.5> M >-21.6, in good agreement with observations, and that the faintest SN IIn that can hide a SN Ia has M = -20.1. The sample of SNe Ia-CSM shows an association with 91T-like SNe Ia. Our experiment does not support that this association is due to a luminosity bias (91T-like being brighter than normal Ia). We therefore conclude that this association has real physical origins and we propose that 91T-like explosions result from single degenerate progenitors. Despite the similarities between SNe Ibc and SNe Ia, the number of misclassifications between these types was small and mostly at low S/N. Combined with the luminosity function needed to reproduce the observed SN Ia-CSM luminosities, it is unlikely that SNe Ibc constitute an important contaminant within this sample. We show how Type II spectra transition to IIn and how the Ha profiles vary with fv. SNe IIn fainter than M = -17.2 are unable to mask SNe IIP brighter than M = -15. A simulation including radiative transfer shows that our simplified model is a good first order approximation. The spectra obtained are in good agreement with real data.

Statistical Studies of Supernova Environments

AbstractMapping the diversity of SNe to progenitor properties is key to our understanding of stellar evolution and explosive stellar death. Investigations of the immediate environments of SNe allow statistical constraints to be made on progenitor properties such as mass and metallicity. Here, we review the progress that has been made in this field. Pixel statistics using tracers of e.g. star formation within galaxies show intriguing differences in the explosion sites of, in particular SNe types II and Ibc (SNe II and SNe Ibc respectively), suggesting statistical differences in population ages. Of particular interest is that SNe Ic are significantly more associated with host galaxy Hα emission than SNe Ib, implying shorter lifetimes for the former. In addition, such studies have shown (unexpectedly) that the interacting SNe IIn do not explode in regions containing the most massive stars, which suggests that at least a significant fraction of their progenitors arise from the lower end of the core-collapse SN mass range. Host H ii region spectroscopy has been obtained for a significant number of core-collapse events, however definitive conclusions on differences between distinct SN types have to-date been elusive. Single stellar evolution models predict that the relative fraction of SNe Ibc to SNe II should increase with increasing metallicity, due to the dependence of mass-loss rates on progenitor metallicity. We present a meta-analysis of all current host H ii region oxygen abundances for CC SNe. It is concluded that the SN II to SN Ibc ratio shows little variation with oxygen abundance, with only a suggestion that the ratio increases in the lowest bin. Radial distributions of different SNe are discussed, where a central excess of SNe Ibc has been observed within disturbed galaxy systems, which is difficult to ascribe to metallicity or selection effects. Environment studies are also being undertaken for SNe Ia, where constraints can be made on the shortest delay times of progenitor systems. It is shown that ‘redder’ SNe Ia are more often found within star-forming regions. Environment studies are evolving to enable studies at higher spatial resolutions than previously possible, while in addition the advent of wide-field integral field unit instruments allows galaxy-wide spectral analyses which will provide fruitful results to this field. Some example contemporary results are shown in that direction.

A trio of gamma-ray burst supernovae:

We present optical and near-infrared (NIR) photometry for three gamma-ray burst supernovae (GRB-SNe): GRB 120729A, GRB 130215A / SN 2013ez and GRB 130831A / SN 2013fu. In the case of GRB 130215A / SN 2013ez, we also present optical spectroscopy at t-t0=16.1 d, which covers rest-frame 3000-6250 Angstroms. Based on Fe II (5169) and Si (II) (6355), our spectrum indicates an unusually low expansion velocity of 4000-6350 km/s, the lowest ever measured for a GRB-SN. Additionally, we determined the brightness and shape of each accompanying SN relative to a template supernova (SN 1998bw), which were used to estimate the amount of nickel produced via nucleosynthesis during each explosion. We find that our derived nickel masses are typical of other GRB-SNe, and greater than those of SNe Ibc that are not associated with GRBs. For GRB 130831A / SN 2013fu, we use our well-sampled R-band light curve (LC) to estimate the amount of ejecta mass and the kinetic energy of the SN, finding that these too are similar to other GRB-SNe. For GRB 130215A, we take advantage of contemporaneous optical/NIR observations to construct an optical/NIR bolometric LC of the afterglow. We fit the bolometric LC with the millisecond magnetar model of Zhang & Meszaros (2001), which considers dipole radiation as a source of energy injection to the forward shock powering the optical/NIR afterglow. Using this model we derive an initial spin period of P=12 ms and a magnetic field of B=1.1 x 10^15 G, which are commensurate with those found for proposed magnetar central engines of other long-duration GRBs.

COMPARING THE HOST GALAXIES OF TYPE Ia, TYPE II, AND TYPE Ibc SUPERNOVAE

We compare the host galaxies of 902 supernovae, including SNe Ia, SNe II and SNe Ibc, which are selected by cross-matching the Asiago Supernova Catalog with the SDSS Data Release 7. We further selected 213 galaxies by requiring the light fraction of spectral observations $>$15%, which could represent well the global properties of the galaxies. Among them, 135 galaxies appear on the Baldwin-Phillips-Terlevich diagram, which allows us to compare the hosts in terms of star-forming, AGNs (including composites, LINERs and Seyfert 2s) and "Absorp" (their related emission-lines are weak or non-existence) galaxies. The diagrams related to parameters D$_n$(4000), H$\delta_A$, stellar masses, SFRs and specific SFRs for the SNe hosts show that almost all SNe II and most of SNe Ibc occur in SF galaxies, which have a wide range of stellar mass and low D$_n$(4000). The SNe Ia hosts as SF galaxies follow similar trends. A significant fraction of SNe Ia occurs in AGNs and Absorp galaxies, which are massive and have high D$_n$(4000). The stellar population analysis from spectral synthesis fitting shows that the hosts of SNe II have a younger stellar population than hosts of SNe Ia. These results are compared with those of the 689 comparison galaxies where the SDSS fiber captures less than 15% of the total light. These comparison galaxies appear biased towards higher 12+log(O/H) ($\sim$0.1dex) at a given stellar mass. Therefore, we believe the aperture effect should be kept in mind when the properties of the hosts for different types of SNe are discussed.

Type Ib SN 1999dn as an example of the thoroughly mixed ejecta of Ib supernovae

We present the results of modelling archival observations of type Ib SN 1999dn. In the spectra, two He I absorption features are seen: a slower component with larger opacity, and a more rapid He I component with smaller opacity. Complementary results are obtained from modelling the bolometric light curve of SN 1999dn, where a two-zone model (dense inner region, and less dense outer region) provides a much better fit than a one-zone model. A key result we find is that roughly equal amounts of radioactive material are found in both regions. The two-zone analytical model provides a more realistic representation of the structure of the ejecta, including mixing and asymmetries, which offers a physical explanation for how the radioactive material is propelled to, and mixed within, the outer regions. Our result supports the theoretical expectation that the radioactive content in the outflow of a type Ib supernova (SN) is thoroughly mixed. We fit our model to six additional SNe Ibc, of which the majority of the SNe Ib are best described by the two-zone model, and the majority of the SNe Ic by the one-zone model. Of the SNe Ic, only SN 2007gr was best fit by the two-zone model, indicating that the lack of helium spectral features for this event cannot be attributed to poor mixing.

A metallicity study of 1987A-like supernova host galaxies

The origin of the blue supergiant (BSG) progenitor of Supernova (SN) 1987A has long been debated, along with the role that its sub-solar metallicity played. We now have a sample of 1987A-like SNe that arise from the core collapse (CC) of BSGs. The metallicity of the explosion sites of the known BSG SNe is investigated, as well as their association to star-forming regions. Both indirect and direct metallicity measurements of 13 BSG SN host galaxies are presented, and compared to those of other CC SN types. Indirect measurements are based on the known luminosity-metallicity relation and on published metallicity gradients of spiral galaxies. To provide direct estimates based on strong line diagnostics, we obtained spectra of each BSG SN host both at the SN explosion site and at the positions of other HII regions. Continuum-subtracted Ha images allowed us to quantify the association between BSG SNe and star-forming regions. BSG SNe explode either in low-luminosity galaxies or at large distances from the nuclei of luminous hosts. Therefore, their indirectly measured metallicities are typically lower than those of SNe IIP and Ibc. This is confirmed by the direct estimates, which show slightly sub-solar values (12+log(O/H)=8.3-8.4 dex), similar to that of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), where SN 1987A exploded. However, two SNe (1998A and 2004em) were found at near solar metallicity. SNe IIb have a metallicity distribution similar to that of BSG SNe. Finally, the association to star-forming regions is similar among BSG SNe, SNe IIP and IIn. Our results suggest that LMC metal abundances play a role in the formation of some 1987A-like SNe. This would naturally fit in a single star scenario for the progenitors. However, the existence of two events at nearly solar metallicity suggests that also other channels, e.g. binarity, contribute to produce BSG SNe.

On the nature and detectability of Type Ib/c supernova progenitors

The progenitors of many Type II supernovae have been observationally identified but the search for Type Ibc supernova (SN Ibc) progenitors has thus far been unsuccessful, despite the expectation that they are luminous Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars. We investigate how the evolution of massive helium stars affects their visual appearances, and discuss the implications for the detectability of SN Ibc progenitors. Massive WR stars that rapidly lose their helium envelopes through stellar-wind mass-loss end their lives when their effective temperatures -- related to their hydrostatic surfaces -- exceed about 150kK.At their pre-supernova stage, their surface properties resemble those of hot Galactic WR stars of WO sub-type. These are visually faint with narrow-band visual magnitudes Mv = -1.5 ~ -2.5, despite their high bolometric luminosities (log L/Lsun = 5.6 ~ 5.7), compared to the bulk of Galactic WR stars (Mv < -4). In contrast, relatively low-mass helium stars that retain a thick helium envelope appear fairly bright in optical bands, depending on the final masses and the history of the envelope expansion during the late evolutionary stages. We conclude that SNe Ibc observations have so far not provided strong constraints on progenitor bolometric luminosities and masses, even with the deepest searches. We also argue that Ic progenitors are more challenging to identify than Ib progenitors in any optical images.