On the interpretation of the spectra of type I supernovae.
Abstract
It is found that a straightforward application of a radioactive excitation source to the interpretation of the late-time spectra of Type I supernovae leads to a degree of semiquantitative agreement with observations never before achieved with other proposed sources. The suggested identification of He I, Ne I, Fe II, Mg II, and Si II as principal sources of absorption and emission features is given a qualitative theoretical basis. However, the principal excitation mechanism is charge and energy-transfer collisions from He(+) and metastable helium atoms and helium resonance line absorption. Collisional excitation by the electron gas is probably a significant source of excitation for the first few hundred days, and is probably the source of the 'continuum'. The relative importance of this thermal source is expected to decrease with time. The qualitative success of the radioactive excitation model at late times suggests that its inclusion at earlier times may be required.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- May 1978
- DOI:
- 10.1086/156103
- Bibcode:
- 1978ApJ...221..975M
- Keywords:
-
- Abundance;
- Atomic Excitations;
- Atomic Spectra;
- Stellar Spectra;
- Supernovae;
- Absorption Spectra;
- Atomic Energy Levels;
- Beta Particles;
- Emission Spectra;
- Gamma Rays;
- Red Shift;
- Astrophysics;
- Atomic Processes:Supernovae;
- Spectra:Supernovae