SNe IIb Research Articles

Characterizing the Rapid Hydrogen Disappearance in SN 2022crv: Evidence of a Continuum between Type Ib and IIb Supernova Properties

We present optical and near-infrared (NIR) observations of SN 2022crv, a stripped-envelope supernova in NGC 3054, discovered within 12 hr of explosion by the Distance Less Than 40 Mpc Survey. We suggest that SN 2022crv is a transitional object on the continuum between Type Ib supernovae (SNe Ib) and Type IIb supernovae (SNe IIb). A high-velocity hydrogen feature (∼ −20,000 to −16,000 km s−1) was conspicuous in SN 2022crv at early phases, and then quickly disappeared. We find that a hydrogen envelope of ∼10−3 M ⊙ can reproduce the observed behavior of the hydrogen feature. The lack of early envelope cooling emission implies that SN 2022crv had a compact progenitor with an extremely low amount of hydrogen. A nebular spectral analysis shows that SN 2022crv is consistent with the explosion of a He star with a final mass of ∼4.5–5.6 M ⊙ that evolved from a ∼16 to 22 M ⊙ zero-age main-sequence star in a binary system with ∼1.0–1.7 M ⊙ of oxygen finally synthesized in the core. In order to retain such a small amount of hydrogen, the initial orbital separation of the binary system is likely larger than ∼1000 R ⊙. The NIR spectra of SN 2022crv show a unique absorption feature on the blue side of the He i line at ∼1.005 μm. This is the first time such a feature has been observed in SNe Ib/IIb, and it could be due to Sr II. Further detailed modeling of SN 2022crv can shed light on the progenitor and the origin of the mysterious absorption feature in the NIR.

Anomaly Detection and Approximate Similarity Searches of Transients in Real-time Data Streams

We present Lightcurve Anomaly Identification and Similarity Search (LAISS), an automated pipeline to detect anomalous astrophysical transients in real-time data streams. We deploy our anomaly detection model on the nightly Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) Alert Stream via the ANTARES broker, identifying a manageable ∼1–5 candidates per night for expert vetting and coordinating follow-up observations. Our method leverages statistical light-curve and contextual host galaxy features within a random forest classifier, tagging transients of rare classes (spectroscopic anomalies), of uncommon host galaxy environments (contextual anomalies), and of peculiar or interaction-powered phenomena (behavioral anomalies). Moreover, we demonstrate the power of a low-latency (∼ms) approximate similarity search method to find transient analogs with similar light-curve evolution and host galaxy environments. We use analogs for data-driven discovery, characterization, (re)classification, and imputation in retrospective and real-time searches. To date, we have identified ∼50 previously known and previously missed rare transients from real-time and retrospective searches, including but not limited to superluminous supernovae (SLSNe), tidal disruption events, SNe IIn, SNe IIb, SNe I-CSM, SNe Ia-91bg-like, SNe Ib, SNe Ic, SNe Ic-BL, and M31 novae. Lastly, we report the discovery of 325 total transients, all observed between 2018 and 2021 and absent from public catalogs (∼1% of all ZTF Astronomical Transient reports to the Transient Name Server through 2021). These methods enable a systematic approach to finding the “needle in the haystack” in large-volume data streams. Because of its integration with the ANTARES broker, LAISS is built to detect exciting transients in Rubin data.

The Effects of Thomson Scattering and Chemical Mixing on Early-time Light Curves of Double-peaked Type IIb Supernovae

Previous numerical simulations of double-peaked Type IIb supernova (SN IIb) light curves have demonstrated that the radius and mass of the hydrogen-rich envelope of the progenitor star can significantly influence the brightness and timescale of the early-time light curve around the first peak. In this study, we investigate how Thomson scattering and chemical mixing in the SN ejecta affect the optical light curves during the early stages of the SNe IIb using radiation hydrodynamics simulations. By comparing the results from two different numerical codes (i.e., STELLA and SNEC), we find that the optical brightness of the first peak can be reduced by more than a factor of 3 as a result of the effect of Thomson scattering that causes the thermalization depth to be located below the Rosseland mean photosphere, compared to the corresponding case where this effect is ignored. We also observe a short-lived plateau-like feature lasting for a few days in the early-time optical light curves of our models, in contrast to typical observed SNe IIb that show a quasi-linear decrease in optical magnitudes after the first peak. A significant degree of chemical mixing between the hydrogen-rich envelope and the helium core in SN ejecta is required to reconcile this discrepancy between the model prediction and observation. Meanwhile, to properly reproduce the first peak, a significant mixing of 56Ni into the hydrogen-rich outermost layers should be restricted. Our findings indicate that inferring the SN IIb progenitor structure from a simplified approach that ignores these two factors may introduce substantial uncertainty.

The Iron Yield of Core-collapse Supernovae

We present a systematic analysis of 191 stripped-envelope supernovae (SE SNe), aimed at computing their 56Ni masses from the luminosity in their radioactive tails () and/or in their maximum light, and the mean 56Ni and iron yields of SE SNe and core-collapse SNe. Our sample consists of SNe IIb, Ib, and Ic from the literature and from the Zwicky Transient Facility Bright Transient Survey. To calculate luminosities from optical photometry, we compute bolometric corrections using 49 SE SNe with optical and near-IR photometry, and develop corrections to account for the unobserved UV and IR flux. We find that the equation of Khatami & Kasen for radioactive 56Ni-powered transients with a single free parameter does not fit the observed peak time–luminosity relation of SE SNe. Instead, we find a correlation between , peak time, peak luminosity, and decline rate, which allows for measuring individual 56Ni masses to a precision of 14%. Applying this method to the whole sample, we find, for SNe IIb, Ib, and Ic, mean 56Ni masses of 0.066 ± 0.006, 0.082 ± 0.009, and 0.132 ± 0.011 M ⊙, respectively. After accounting for their relative rates, for SE SNe as a whole, we compute mean 56Ni and iron yields of 0.090 ± 0.005 and 0.097 ± 0.007 M ⊙, respectively. Combining these results with the recent Type II SN mean 56Ni mass derived by Rodríguez et al., core-collapse SNe, as a whole, have mean 56Ni and iron yields of 0.055 ± 0.006 and 0.058 ± 0.007 M ⊙, respectively. We also find that radioactive 56Ni-powered models typically underestimate the peak luminosity of SE SNe by 60%–70%, suggesting the presence of an additional power source contributing to the luminosity at peak.

A characterization of ASAS-SN core-collapse supernova environments with VLT+MUSE

Context. The analysis of core-collapse supernova (CCSN) environments can provide important information on the life cycle of massive stars and constrain the progenitor properties of these powerful explosions. The MUSE instrument at the Very Large Telescope (VLT) enables detailed local environment constraints of the progenitors of large samples of CCSNe. Using a homogeneous SN sample from the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) survey, an untargeted and spectroscopically complete transient survey, has enabled us to perform a minimally biased statistical analysis of CCSN environments. Aims. We analyze 111 galaxies observed by MUSE that hosted 112 CCSNe – 78 II, nine IIn, seven IIb, four Ic, seven Ib, three Ibn, two Ic-BL, one ambiguous Ibc, and one superluminous SN – detected or discovered by the ASAS-SN survey between 2014 and 2018. The majority of the galaxies were observed by the All-weather MUse Supernova Integral field Nearby Galaxies (AMUSING) survey. Here we analyze the immediate environment around the SN locations and compare the properties between the different CCSN types and their light curves. Methods. We used stellar population synthesis and spectral fitting techniques to derive physical parameters for all H II regions detected within each galaxy, including the star formation rate (SFR), Hα equivalent width (EW), oxygen abundance, and extinction. Results. We found that stripped-envelope supernovae (SESNe) occur in environments with a higher median SFR, Hα EW, and oxygen abundances than SNe II and SNe IIn/Ibn. Most of the distributions have no statistically significant differences, except between oxygen abundance distributions of SESNe and SNe II, and between Hα EW distributions of SESNe and SNe II. The distributions of SNe II and IIn are very similar, indicating that these events explode in similar environments. For the SESNe, SNe Ic have higher median SFRs, Hα EWs, and oxygen abundances than SNe Ib. SNe IIb have environments with similar SFRs and Hα EWs to SNe Ib, and similar oxygen abundances to SNe Ic. We also show that the postmaximum decline rate, s, of SNe II correlates with the Hα EW, and that the luminosity and the Δm15 parameter of SESNe correlate with the oxygen abundance, Hα EW, and SFR at their environments. This suggests a connection between the explosion mechanisms of these events to their environment properties.

Revealing the Progenitor of SN 2021zby through Analysis of the TESS Shock-cooling Light Curve

We present early observations and analysis of the double-peaked Type IIb supernova (SN IIb) SN 2021zby. TESS captured the prominent early shock-cooling peak of SN 2021zby within the first ∼10 days after explosion with a 30 minute cadence. We present optical and near-infrared spectral series of SN 2021zby, including three spectra during the shock-cooling phase. Using a multiband model fit, we find that the inferred properties of its progenitor are consistent with a red supergiant or yellow supergiant, with an envelope mass of ∼0.30–0.65 M ⊙ and an envelope radius of ∼120–300 R ⊙. These inferred progenitor properties are similar to those of other SNe IIb with a double-peaked feature, such as SNe 1993J, 2011dh, 2016gkg, and 2017jgh. This study further validates the importance of the high cadence and early coverage in resolving the shape of the shock-cooling light curve, while the multiband observations, particularly UV, are also necessary to fully constrain the progenitor properties.

A Multiwavelength View of the Rapidly Evolving SN 2018ivc: An Analog of SN IIb 1993J but Powered Primarily by Circumstellar Interaction

SN 2018ivc is an unusual Type II supernova (SN II). It is a variant of SNe IIL, which might represent a transitional case between SNe IIP with a massive H-rich envelope and SNe IIb with only a small amount of the H-rich envelope. However, SN 2018ivc shows an optical light-curve evolution more complicated than that of canonical SNe IIL. In this paper, we present the results of prompt follow-up observations of SN 2018ivc with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. Its synchrotron emission is similar to that of SN IIb 1993J, suggesting that it is intrinsically an SN IIb–like explosion of an He star with a modest (∼0.5–1M ⊙) extended H-rich envelope. Its radio, optical, and X-ray light curves are explained primarily by the interaction between the SN ejecta and the circumstellar material (CSM); we thus suggest that it is a rare example (and the first involving the “canonical” SN IIb ejecta) for which the multiwavelength emission is powered mainly by the SN–CSM interaction. The inner CSM density, reflecting the progenitor activity in the final decade, is comparable to that of SN IIb 2013cu, which shows a flash spectral feature. The outer CSM density, and therefore the mass-loss rate in the final ∼200 yr, is higher than that of SN 1993J by a factor of ∼5. We suggest that SN 2018ivc represents a missing link between SNe IIP and SNe IIb/Ib/Ic in the binary evolution scenario.

What can Gaussian processes really tell us about supernova light curves? Consequences for Type II(b) morphologies and genealogies

ABSTRACT Machine learning has become widely used in astronomy. Gaussian process (GP) regression in particular has been employed a number of times to fit or resample supernova (SN) light curves, however by their nature typical GP models are not suited to fit SN photometric data and they will be prone to overfitting. Recently GP resampling was used in the context of studying the morphologies of Type II and IIb SNe and they were found to be clearly distinct with respect to four parameters: the rise time (trise), the magnitude difference between 40 and 30 d post-explosion (Δm40–30), the earliest maximum (post-peak) of the first derivative (dm1), and minimum of the second derivative (dm2). Here we take a close look at GP regression and its limitations in the context of SN light curves in general, and we also discuss the uncertainties on these specific parameters, finding that dm1 and dm2 cannot give reliable astrophysical information. We do reproduce the clustering in trise–Δm40–30 space, although it is not as clear cut as previously presented. The best strategy to accurately populate the trise–Δm40–30 space will be to use an expanded sample of high-quality light curves [such as those in the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) transient survey] and analytical fitting methods. Finally, using the bpass fiducial models, we predict that future photometric studies will reveal clear clustering of the Type IIb and II light curve morphologies with a distinct continuum of transitional events.

SN 2020acat: an energetic fast rising Type IIb supernova

ABSTRACT The ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) photometric and optical spectroscopic observations of SN 2020acat covering ∼250 d after explosion are presented here. Using the fast rising photometric observations, spanning from the UV to NIR wavelengths, a pseudo-bolometric light curve was constructed and compared to several other well-observed Type IIb supernovae (SNe IIb). SN 2020acat displayed a very short rise time reaching a peak luminosity of $\mathrm{{\rm Log}_{10}}(L) = 42.49 \pm 0.17 \, \mathrm{erg \, s^{-1}}$ in only ∼14.6 ± 0.3 d. From modelling of the pseudo-bolometric light curve, we estimated a total mass of 56Ni synthesized by SN 2020acat of MNi = 0.13 ± 0.03 M⊙, with an ejecta mass of Mej = 2.3 ± 0.4 M⊙ and a kinetic energy of Ek = 1.2 ± 0.3 × 1051 erg. The optical spectra of SN 2020acat display hydrogen signatures well into the transitional period (≳ 100 d), between the photospheric and the nebular phases. The spectra also display a strong feature around 4900 Å that cannot be solely accounted for by the presence of the Fe ii 5018 line. We suggest that the Fe ii feature was augmented by He i 5016 and possibly by the presence of N ii 5005. From both photometric and spectroscopic analysis, we inferred that the progenitor of SN 2020acat was an intermediate-mass compact star with an MZAMS of 15–20 M⊙.

Evolution Toward the Observational Features of a Stripped Envelope Type IIb Supernova in a Binary System

Type IIb supernovae (SNe IIb) that have a thin layer of hydrogen left in their outer envelope have been believed to belong to core collapse supernovae. Mass transfer via Roche lobe overflow can significantly change the nucleosynthesis and surface chemical elements of the progenitors of SNe IIb. We aim to explore what conditions a close binary can meet with the observational features of SNe IIb. We find that an observed low mass SN IIb cannot be produced by a low mass isolated star with M < 20 M ⊙ due to the existence of a thick hydrogen envelope regardless of rotation. Binaries dominate as progenitors in the mass interval (i.e., M < 20 M ⊙) considered in this paper. The 16 M ⊙ primary with a 14 M ⊙ companion in a binary system with ∼10 days < P orb < 720 days can reproduce observational features of SNe IIb (i.e., T eff, , M He, M H, etc.). With the decrease of the hydrogen-rich envelope mass, the radius of the progenitor shrinks. The associated types of SN IIb progenitors from RSGs and YSGs to BSGs are closely related to the amount of hydrogen left in the envelopes. Rotation can bring the production of the CNO reaction to the stellar surface at an early phase, which would explain the nitrogen-rich circumstellar material of SN 1993J and can also explain the large He/H ratio of supernova ejecta. Rotation can increase the corresponding region of the orbital period which can produce an SN IIb.

The Lick Observatory Supernova Search follow-up program: photometry data release of 70 SESNe

ABSTRACT We present BVRI and unfiltered (Clear) light curves of 70 stripped-envelope supernovae (SESNe), observed between 2003 and 2020, from the Lick Observatory Supernova Search follow-up program. Our SESN sample consists of 19 spectroscopically normal SNe Ib, 2 peculiar SNe Ib, six SNe Ibn, 14 normal SNe Ic, 1 peculiar SN Ic, 10 SNe Ic-BL, 15 SNe IIb, 1 ambiguous SN IIb/Ib/c, and 2 superluminous SNe. Our follow-up photometry has (on a per-SN basis) a mean coverage of 81 photometric points (median of 58 points) and a mean cadence of 3.6 d (median of 1.2 d). From our full sample, a subset of 38 SNe have pre-maximum coverage in at least one passband, allowing for the peak brightness of each SN in this subset to be quantitatively determined. We describe our data collection and processing techniques, with emphasis toward our automated photometry pipeline, from which we derive publicly available data products to enable and encourage further study by the community. Using these data products, we derive host-galaxy extinction values through the empirical colour evolution relationship and, for the first time, produce accurate rise-time measurements for a large sample of SESNe in both optical and infrared passbands. By modelling multiband light curves, we find that SNe Ic tend to have lower ejecta masses and lower ejecta velocities than SNe Ib and IIb, but higher 56Ni masses.

Luminous Type II Short-Plateau Supernovae 2006Y, 2006ai, and 2016egz: A Transitional Class from Stripped Massive Red Supergiants

Abstract The diversity of Type II supernovae (SNe II) is thought to be driven mainly by differences in their progenitor’s hydrogen-rich (H-rich) envelope mass, with SNe IIP having long plateaus (∼100 days) and the most massive H-rich envelopes. However, it is an ongoing mystery why SNe II with short plateaus (tens of days) are rarely seen. Here, we present optical/near-infrared photometric and spectroscopic observations of luminous Type II short-plateau SNe 2006Y, 2006ai, and 2016egz. Their plateaus of about 50–70 days and luminous optical peaks (≲−18.4 mag) indicate significant pre-explosion mass loss resulting in partially stripped H-rich envelopes and early circumstellar material (CSM) interaction. We compute a large grid of MESA+STELLA single-star progenitor and light-curve models with various progenitor zero-age main-sequence (ZAMS) masses, mass-loss efficiencies, explosion energies, 56Ni masses, and CSM densities. Our model grid shows a continuous population of SNe IIP–IIL–IIb-like light-curve morphology in descending order of H-rich envelope mass. With large 56Ni masses (≳0.05 M ⊙), short-plateau SNe II lie in a confined parameter space as a transitional class between SNe IIL and IIb. For SNe 2006Y, 2006ai, and 2016egz, our findings suggest high-mass red supergiant (RSG) progenitors (M ZAMS ≃ 18–22 M ⊙) with small H-rich envelope masses ( ) that have experienced enhanced mass loss ( ) for the last few decades before the explosion. If high-mass RSGs result in rare short-plateau SNe II, then these events might ease some of the apparent underrepresentation of higher-luminosity RSGs in observed SN II progenitor samples.

SN 2013ai: A Link between Hydrogen-rich and Hydrogen-poor Core-collapse Supernovae

Abstract We present a study of the optical and near-infrared (NIR) spectra of SN 2013ai along with its light curves. These data range from discovery until 380 days after explosion. SN 2013ai is a fast declining Type II supernova (SN II) with an unusually long rise time, 18.9 ± 2.7 days in the V-band, and a bright V-band peak absolute magnitude of −18.7 ± 0.06 mag. The spectra are dominated by hydrogen features in the optical and NIR. The spectral features of SN 2013ai are unique in their expansion velocities, which, when compared to large samples of SNe II, are more than 1,000 km s−1 faster at 50 days past explosion. In addition, the long rise time of the light curve more closely resembles SNe IIb rather than SNe II. If SN 2013ai is coeval with a nearby compact cluster, we infer a progenitor zero-age main-sequence mass of ∼17 M ⊙. After performing light-curve modeling, we find that SN 2013ai could be the result of the explosion of a star with little hydrogen mass, a large amount of synthesized 56Ni, 0.3–0.4 M ⊙, and an explosion energy of 2.5–3.0 × 1051 erg. The density structure and expansion velocities of SN 2013ai are similar to those of the prototypical SN IIb, SN 1993J. However, SN 2013ai shows no strong helium features in the optical, likely due to the presence of a dense core that prevents the majority of γ-rays from escaping to excite helium. Our analysis suggests that SN 2013ai could be a link between SNe II and stripped-envelope SNe.

Progenitors of Type IIb Supernovae. II. Observable Properties

Abstract Type IIb supernovae (SNe IIb) present a unique opportunity for investigating the evolutionary channels and mechanisms governing the evolution of stripped-envelope SN progenitors due to a variety of observational constraints. Comparison of these constraints with the full distribution of theoretical properties not only helps determine the prevalence of observed properties in nature, but can also reveal currently unobserved populations. In this follow-up paper, we use the large grid of models presented in Sravan et al. to derive distributions of single and binary SNe IIb progenitor properties and compare them to constraints from three independent observational probes: multiband SN light curves, direct progenitor detections, and X-ray/radio observations. Consistent with previous work, we find that while current observations exclude single stars as SN IIb progenitors, SN IIb progenitors in binaries can account for them. We also find that the distributions indicate the existence of an unobserved dominant population of binary SNe IIb at low metallicity that arise due to mass transfer initiated on the Hertzsprung Gap. In particular, our models indicate the existence of a group of highly stripped (envelope mass ∼0.1–0.2M ☉) progenitors that are compact (&lt;50R ☉) and blue (T eff ≲ 105 K) with ∼104.5–105.5 L ☉ and low-density circumstellar mediums. As discussed in Sravan et al., this group is necessary to account for SN IIb fractions and likely exist regardless of metallicity. The detection of the unobserved populations indicated by our models would support weak stellar winds and inefficient mass transfer in SN IIb progenitors.

SN 2018gjx reveals that some SNe Ibn are SNe IIb exploding in dense circumstellar material

ABSTRACT We present the data and analysis of SN 2018gjx, an unusual low-luminosity transient with three distinct spectroscopic phases. Phase I shows a hot blue spectrum with signatures of ionized circumstellar material (CSM), Phase II has the appearance of broad SN features, consistent with those seen in a Type IIb supernova at maximum light, and Phase III is that of a supernova interacting with helium-rich CSM, similar to a Type Ibn supernova. This event provides an apparently rare opportunity to view the inner workings of an interacting supernova. The observed properties can be explained by the explosion of a star in an aspherical CSM. The initial light is emitted from an extended CSM (∼4000 R⊙), which ionizes the exterior unshocked material. Some days after, the SN photosphere envelops this region, leading to the appearance of a SN IIb. Over time, the photosphere recedes in velocity space, revealing interaction between the supernova ejecta and the CSM that partially obscures the supernova nebular phase. Modelling of the initial spectrum reveals a surface composition consistent with compact H-deficient Wolf–Rayet and Luminous Blue Variable (LBV) stars. Such configurations may not be unusual, with SNe IIb being known to have signs of interaction so at least some SNe IIb and SNe Ibn may be the same phenomena viewed from different angles, or possibly with differing CSM configurations.

Eccentric grazing envelope evolution towards Type IIb supernova progenitors

ABSTRACT We simulate the evolution of eccentric binary systems in the frame of the grazing envelope evolution (GEE) channel for the formation of Type IIb supernovae (SNe IIb), and find that extra mass removal by jets increases the parameter space for the formation of SNe IIb in this channel. To explore the role of eccentricity and the extra mass removal by jets, we use the stellar evolutionary code mesa binary. The initial primary and secondary masses are M1, i = 15 and M2, i = 2.5 M⊙. We examine initial semimajor axes of 600–1000 R⊙, and eccentricities of e = 0–0.9. Both Roche lobe overflow (RLOF) and mass removal by jets, followed by a wind, leave a hydrogen mass in the exploding star of MH, f ≈ 0.05 M⊙, compatible with an SN IIb progenitor. When the initial orbit is not circular, the final orbit might have a very high eccentricity. In many cases, with and without the extra mass removal by jets, the system can enter a common envelope evolution (CEE) phase, and then gets out from it. For some ranges of eccentricities, the jets are more efficient in preventing the CEE. Despite the large uncertainties, extra mass removal by jets substantially increases the likelihood of the system to get out from a CEE. This strengthens earlier conclusions for circular orbits. In some cases, RLOF alone, without mass removal by jets, can form SN IIb progenitors. We estimate that the extra mass removal by jets in the GEE channel increases the number of progenitors relative to that by RLOF alone by about a factor of 2.

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.

The uncertain masses of progenitors of core-collapse supernovae and direct-collapse black holes

ABSTRACT We show that it is not possible to determine the final mass Mfin of a red supergiant (RSG) at the pre-supernova (SN) stage from its luminosity L and effective temperature Teff alone. Using a grid of stellar models, we demonstrate that for a given value of L and Teff, an RSG can have a range of Mfin as wide as 3 to 45 M⊙. While the probability distribution within these limits is not flat, any individual determination of Mfin for an RSG will be degenerate. This makes it difficult to determine its evolutionary history and to map Mfin to an initial mass. Single stars produce a narrower range that is difficult to accurately determine without making strong assumptions about mass-loss, convection, and rotation. Binaries would produce a wider range of RSG Mfin. However, the final Helium core mass $M_{\operatorname{He-core}}$ is well determined by the final luminosity and we find $\log (M_{\operatorname{He-core}}/\mathrm{M}_{\odot }) = 0.659 \log (L/\mathrm{L}_{\odot }) -2.630$. Using this relationship, we derive $M_{\operatorname{He-core}}$ for directly imaged SN progenitors and one failed SN candidate. The value of Mfin for stripped star progenitors of SNe IIb is better constrained by L and Teff due to the dependence of Teff on the envelope mass Menv for Menv ≲ 1 M⊙. Given the initial mass function, our results apply to the majority of progenitors of core-collapse SNe, failed SNe, and direct-collapse black holes.

Type IIb supernovae by the grazing envelope evolution

Abstract We simulate the evolution of binary systems with a massive primary star of 15M⊙ where we introduce an enhanced mass loss due to jets that the secondary star might launch, and find that in many cases the enhanced mass loss brings the binary system to experience the grazing envelope evolution (GEE) and form a progenitor of Type IIb supernova (SN IIb). The jets, the Roche lobe overflow (RLOF), and a final stellar wind remove most of the hydrogen-rich envelope, leaving a blue-compact SN IIb progenitor. In many cases without this jet-driven mass loss the system enters a common envelope evolution (CEE) and does not form a SN IIb progenitor. We use the stellar evolutionary code MESA binary and mimic the jet-driven mass loss with a simple prescription and some free parameters. Our results show that the jet-driven mass loss, that some systems have during the GEE, increases the parameter space for stellar binary systems to form SN IIb progenitors. We estimate that the binary evolution channel with GEE contributes about a quarter of all SNe IIb, about equal to the contribution of each of the other three channels, binary evolution without a GEE, fatal CEE (where the secondary star merges with the core of the giant primary star), and the single star channel.

The Origin of the Late-time Luminosity of Supernova 2011dh

Abstract Due to the small amount of hydrogen (≤0.1 M ⊙) remaining on the surface of their progenitors, SNe IIb are sensitive probes of the mass-loss processes of massive stars toward the ends of their lives, including the role of binarity. We report late-time Hubble Space Telescope observations of SN 2011dh in M51, and a brief period of rebrightening and plateau in the photometric light curve, from 1.8 to 6.2 yr after the explosion. These observations exclude the role of circumstellar interaction, however, a slow rotating magnetar, a significant quantity of radioactive elements, or a light echo could be responsible for the late-time luminosity observed at t &gt; 1000 days. If the late-time light curve is powered by the decay of radioactive elements, SN 2011dh is required to have produced ∼2.6 × 10−3 M ⊙ of 44Ti, which is significantly in excess of the amount inferred from earlier nebular spectra of SN 2011dh itself or measured in the Cas A SN remnant. The evolution of the brightness and the color of the late-time light curve also supports the role of a light echo originating from dust with a preferred geometry of a disk of extent ∼1.8 to ∼2.7 pc from the SN, consistent with a wind-blown bubble. Accounting for the long-term photometric evolution due to a light echo, the flux contribution from a surviving binary companion at ultraviolet wavelengths can be isolated and corresponds to a star of ∼9–10 M ⊙.