Rapidly Rising Transients in the Supernova - Superluminous Supernova Gap
Abstract
We recently discovered four rapidly (~10-day) rising transients with peak luminosities between those of supernovae (SNe) and superluminous SNe in the PTF and SNLS archives. The light curves resemble those of SN 2011kl, recently shown to be associated with an ultra-long-duration gamma ray burst (GRB). The rapid rise to a luminous peak places these events in a unique part of SN phase space, challenging standard SN emission mechanisms. Spectra of the PTF event formally classify it as a Type II SN due to broad H-alpha emission, but an unusual absorption feature (which can be interpreted as either substantial high velocity hydrogen or Si II) is also observed. Existing models of white dwarf detonations, CSM interaction, shock breakout in a wind (or steeper CSM) and magnetar spindown can not readily explain the observations. Theoretical models (including those of "Type 1.5 SNe") may need to be expanded to account for this new class of transients.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #227
- Pub Date:
- January 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016AAS...22720802A