GALEX Spectroscopy of SN 2005ay Suggests Ultraviolet Spectral Uniformity among Type II-P Supernovae
Abstract
We present the initial results from our GALEX program designed to obtain ultraviolet (UV) spectra of nearby core-collapse supernovae (SNe). Our first target, SN 2005ay in the nearby galaxy NGC 3938, is a typical member of the SN II-P subclass. Our spectra show remarkable similarity to those of the prototypical Type II-P SN 1999em, and resemble also Swift observations of the recent Type II-P SN 2005cs. Taken together, the observations of these three events trace the UV spectral evolution of SNe II-P during the first month after explosion, as required in order to interpret optical observations of high-redshift SNe II-P, and to derive cross-filter K-corrections. While still highly preliminary, the apparent UV homogeneity of SNe II-P bodes well for the use of these events as cosmological probes at high redshift.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- October 2008
- DOI:
- 10.1086/592744
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0806.3276
- Bibcode:
- 2008ApJ...685L.117G
- Keywords:
-
- supernovae: individual: SN 2005ay;
- ultraviolet: general;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- ApJL, submitted, comments welcome