The Optical Recovery of SN 1970G in M101 (NGC 5457)
Abstract
Optical emission from SN 1970G nearly 22 yr after maximum light is presented and discussed. Images show SN 1970G to have occurred 3.8" +/- 0.2" N and 1.9" +/- 0.2" W off the optical peak of M101's bright H II region NGC 5455. A low-dispersion spectrum shows broad 5400 to 6500 km s^-1^ emissions of Hα and [O I] λλ6300, 6364 with luminosities comparable to those seen in SN 1980K. We compare the SN 1970G spectrum to those of other optically detected, radio-bright evolved SNe and suggest SN-circumstellar matter interaction as the dominant late-time energy source for the observed optical emission. The detection of this 20 + yr old, rather ordinary Type II-L SN raises the possibility of detecting even older Type II SNe, especially if located in relatively uncrowded regions of the parent galaxy.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- August 1993
- DOI:
- 10.1086/186971
- Bibcode:
- 1993ApJ...413L.109F
- Keywords:
-
- Emission Spectra;
- H Alpha Line;
- Light Emission;
- Supernova Remnants;
- Charge Coupled Devices;
- Interstellar Matter;
- Astrophysics