Optical and Infrared Observations of Radioactive Elements in Supernovae

Abstract

At late phases the powering of supernova light curves is often provided by the decay of radioactive elements synthesized in the explosions. This is unambiguously revealed when the light curve decline follows the half life time of the decaying elements, and the bolometric luminosity then directly provides the mass of ejected radioactive material. I will focus on the best observed element, Nickel-56, and demonstrate that different supernovae eject different amounts of this element. SN 1994W ejected very small amounts of nickel, possibly caused by black hole formation. SN 1998bw may instead have ejected more Nickel-56 than any other supernova to date. I will also discuss our ISO non-detection of [Fe II] 26 micron in SN 1987A, which can be used to estimate an upper limit on the mass of ejected radioactive Titanium-44.

arXiv comment9 pages, 3 figures, In press in New Astronomy Reviews

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• SN 1998bw at late phases
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• Supernova Fallback and the Emergence of a Black Hole
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• ISO/SWS observations of SN 1987A: II. A refined upper limit on the mass of Ti-44 in the ejecta of SN 1987A

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• Stellar Sources for Heavy r-Process Nuclei
• Metallicity at the explosion sites of interacting transients
• Radiation-hydrodynamical modelling of underluminous type II plateau Supernovae
• SNe 2013K and 2013am: observed and physical properties of two slow, normal Type IIP events
• SN 2023zaw: an ultra-stripped, nickel-poor supernova from a low-mass progenitor
• High excitation ISM and gas
• The effects of convection criteria on the evolution of population III stars and the detectability of their supernovae
• A Spectroscopic Study of Supernova Remnants with the Infrared Space Observatory