Dust Formation in CCSNe with Extensive Mass Loss Histories
Abstract
The systematics of dust formation in core collapse supernovae (CCSNe), such as the timing, location, and amount of newly formed dust and the effects of progenitor mass and circumstellar environment, are still vague and unclear. Recent discoveries of massive amounts of cool dust in SN 1987A and the Crab nebula have once again brought this debate to the forefront. We are currently undertaking an ambitious program to better understand how the various dust formation indicators are related, and more importantly how to correctly interpret these indicators to make accurate estimates of the amount of dust formed in a typical CCSNe explosion. Our planned observations of SNe 2010jl and 2011ja, with Gemini/GMOS as part of our multi-wavelength and multi-;epoch campaign, will not only allow us to classify and quantify newly condensing dust in the cool dense shell and the ejecta, but will also allow us to accurately map out pre-existing circumstellar dust in light echoes. Measuring the location and mass of the dust around a SN, while the dust is still warm, is essential in deciphering the origin of the large masses of cold dust that have been discovered in SN 1987A and the Crab nebula. This increased understanding of dust formation from massive stars may then be applied to understanding the presence of large amounts of dust in primordial galaxies seen at high redshift.
- Publication:
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NOAO Proposal
- Pub Date:
- February 2014
- Bibcode:
- 2014noao.prop..316A