Early-Time Polarization of the Type II-Plateau Supernova SN 2012aw
Abstract
We obtained spectropolarimetry of the nearby Type II-Plateau supernova SN 2012aw (CBET #3054) on Apr. 1 UT (roughly 17 days after explosion; ATEL #3996) with the ESO Very Large Telescope (+ FORS2 in polarimetric mode; range 430-920 nm, resolution 1.2 nm). A preliminary reduction of the data reveals a spectrum that continues (CBET #3054) to resemble those of Type II-Plateau supernovae (SN II-P) at similarly early epochs, presenting a smooth, blue continuum with broad P-Cyg features corresponding to H_alpha, Fe II (516.9 nm), H_beta, and the Ba II (455.4 nm) blend all evident.
- Publication:
-
The Astronomer's Telegram
- Pub Date:
- April 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012ATel.4033....1L
- Keywords:
-
- Optical;
- Supernovae