An asymptotic-giant-branch star in the progenitor system of a type Ia supernova

Hamuy, M.; PHILLIPS, MM; SUNTZEFF, NB; Maza, J; Gonzalez, LE; Roth, M; Krisciunas K.; Morrell, N; Green, EM; Persson, SE; McCarthy, PJ

Abstract

Stars that explode as supernovae come in two main classes. A type Ia supernova is recognized by the absence of hydrogen and the presence of elements such as silicon and sulphur in its spectrum; this class of supernova is thought to produce the majority of iron-peak elements in the Universe. They are also used as precise 'standard candles' to measure the distances to galaxies. While there is general agreement that a type Ia supernova is produced by an exploding white dwarf star, no progenitor system has ever been directly observed. Significant effort has gone into searching for circumstellar material to help discriminate between the possible kinds of progenitor systems, but no such material has hitherto been found associated with a type Ia supernova. Here we report the presence of strong hydrogen emission associated with the type Ia supernova SN2002ic, indicating the presence of large amounts of circumstellar material. We infer from this that the progenitor system contained a massive asymptotic-giant-branch star that lost several solar masses of hydrogen-rich gas before the supernova explosion.

Más información

Título según WOS: An asymptotic-giant-branch star in the progenitor system of a type Ia supernova
Título según SCOPUS: An asymptotic-giant-branch star in the progenitor system of a type la supernova
Título de la Revista: NATURE
Volumen: 424
Número: 6949
Editorial: NATURE PORTFOLIO
Fecha de publicación: 2003
Página de inicio: 651
Página final: 654
Idioma: English
DOI:

10.1038/nature01854

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS