Rates, Progenitors and Cosmic Mix of Type Ia Supernovae

Abstract

Following an episode of star formation, Type Ia supernova events occur over an extended period of time, following a distribution of delay times (DDT). We critically discuss some empirically-based DDT functions that have been proposed in recent years, some favoring very early (prompt) events, other very late (tardy) ones, and therefore being mutually exclusive. We point out that in both cases the derived DDT functions are affected by dubious assumptions, and therefore there is currently no ground for claiming either a DDT strongly peaked at early times, or at late ones. Theoretical DDT functions are known to accommodate both prompt as well as late SNIa events, and can account for all available observational constraints. Recent observational evidence exists that both single degenerate and double degenerate precursors may be able of producing SNIa events. We then explore on the basis of plausible theoretical models the possible variation with cosmic time of the mix between the events produced by the two different channels, which in principle could lead to systematics effects on the SNIa properties with redshift.

9 pages, 7 figures, submitted to MNRAS March 20, accepted May 9, 2008. New version is identical to previous one apart from a "Note added in proof"

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• Revealing Type Ia supernova physics with cosmic rates and nuclear gamma rays
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• The Large-Scale Environments of Type Ia Supernovae: Evidence for a Metallicity Bias in the Rate or Luminosity of Prompt Ia Events
• Stellar populations across galaxy bars in the MUSE TIMER project
• The Ages of Galactic Bulge Stars with Realistic Uncertainties
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• Gravitational-wave radiation from double compact objects with eLISA in the Galaxy
• Cosmic Type Ia SN rate and constraints on SN Ia progenitors
• Correlation of the rate of Type Ia supernovae with the parent galaxy properties: Light and shadows
• A closer look at non-interacting He stars as a channel for producing the old population of Type Ia supernovae
• Stellar Populations in a semi-analytic model I: bulges of Milky Way-like galaxies
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