The spectacular evolution of Supernova 1996al over 15 yr: a low-energy explosion of a stripped massive star in a highly structured environment
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
•
Chugai, N. N.
•
Utrobin, V. P.
•
•
Patat, F.
•
•
•
•
Neuhäuser, R.
•
Caldwell, N.
•
Pignata, G.
•
Abstract
Spectrophotometry of SN 1996al carried out throughout 15 yr is presented. The early photometry suggests that SN 1996al is a linear Type II supernova, with an absolute peak of MV ∼ -18.2 mag. Early spectra present broad asymmetric Balmer emissions, with superimposed narrow lines with P-Cygni profile, and He I features with asymmetric broad emission components. The analysis of the line profiles shows that the H and He broad components form in the same region of the ejecta. By day +142, the Hα profile dramatically changes: the narrow P-Cygni profile disappears, and the Hα is fitted by three emission components that will be detected over the remaining 15 yr of the supernova (SN) monitoring campaign. Instead, the He I emissions become progressively narrower and symmetric. A sudden increase in flux of all He I lines is observed between 300 and 600 d. Models show that the SN luminosity is sustained by the interaction of low-mass (∼1.15 M☉) ejecta, expelled in a low kinetic energy (∼1.6 × 1050 erg) explosion, with highly asymmetric circumstellar medium. The detection of Hα emission in pre-explosion archive images suggests that the progenitor was most likely a massive star (∼25 M☉ ZAMS) that had lost a large fraction of its hydrogen envelope before explosion, and was hence embedded in a H-rich cocoon. The low-mass ejecta and modest kinetic energy of the explosion are explained with massive fallback of material into the compact remnant, a 7-8-M☉ black hole.
Volume
456
Issue
3
Start page
3296
Issn Identifier
0035-8711
Ads BibCode
2016MNRAS.456.3296B
Rights
open.access
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Loading...
Name
SN1996al.pdf
Description
PDF editoriale
Size
4.74 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
928394d37eab0f4192940fa50fcbef09