Abstract
We present a set of photometric and spectroscopic observations of a bright Type Ib supernova SN 2012au from -6 days until + 150 days after maximum. The shape of its early R-band light curve is similar to that of an average Type Ib/c supernova. The peak absolute magnitude is MR = -18.7 ± 0.2 mag, which suggests that this supernova belongs to a very luminous group among Type Ib supernovae. The line velocity of He I λ5876 is about 15,000 km s-1 around maximum, which is much faster than that in a typical Type Ib supernova. From the quasi-bolometric peak luminosity of (6.7 ± 1.3) × 1042 erg s-1, we estimate the 56Ni mass produced during the explosion as 0.30 M. We also give a rough constraint to the ejecta mass 5-7 M and the kinetic energy (7-18) × 1051 erg. We find a weak correlation between the peak absolute magnitude and He I velocity among Type Ib SNe. The similarities to SN 1998bw in the density structure inferred from the light-curve model as well as the large peak bolometric luminosity suggest that SN 2012au had properties similar to energetic Type Ic supernovae.
Original language | English |
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Article number | L17 |
Journal | Astrophysical Journal Letters |
Volume | 772 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2013 Aug 1 |
Keywords
- supernovae: individual (SN 2012au)
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science