361 citations · 1.5k across the 16 of their papers we have counts for
16 papers
Spectral analysis of four 'hypervariable' AGN: a microneedle in the haystack?
A. Bruce, A. Lawrence, C. MacLeod +13
We analyze four extreme active galactic nuclei (AGN) transients to explore the possibility that they are caused by rare, high-amplitude microlensing events. These previously unknow…
Common Envelope ejection for a Luminous Red Nova in M101
N. Blagorodnova, R. Kotak, J. Polshaw +30
We present the results of optical, near-infrared, and mid-infrared observations of M101 OT2015-1 (PSN J14021678+5426205), a luminous red transient in the Pinwheel galaxy (M101), sp…
Dead or Alive? Long-term evolution of SN 2015bh (SNhunt275)
N. Elias-Rosa, A. Pastorello, S. Benetti +37
Supernova (SN) 2015bh (or SNhunt275) was discovered in NGC 2770 on 2015 February with an absolute magnitude of Mr ~ -13.4 mag, and was initially classified as a SN impostor. Here w…
LSQ13fn: A type II-Plateau supernova with a possibly low metallicity progenitor that breaks the standardised candle relation
J. Polshaw, R. Kotak, L. Dessart +20
We present optical imaging and spectroscopy of supernova (SN) LSQ13fn, a type II supernova with several hitherto-unseen properties. Although it initially showed strong symmetric sp…
On type IIn/Ia-CSM supernovae as exemplified by SN 2012ca
C. Inserra, M. Fraser, S. J. Smartt +15
We present the complete set of ultra-violet, optical and near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy for SN 2012ca, covering the period from 6~days prior to maximum light, until 531…
A supernova distance to the anchor galaxy NGC 4258
J. Polshaw, R. Kotak, K. C. Chambers +8
The fortuitous occurrence of a type II-Plateau (IIP) supernova, SN 2014bc, in a galaxy for which distance estimates from a number of primary distance indicators are available provi…
On the triple peaks of SNHunt248 in NGC 5806
E. Kankare, R. Kotak, A. Pastorello +19
We present our findings on a supernova (SN) impostor, SNHunt248, based on optical and near-IR data spanning 15 yrs before discovery, to 1 yr post-discovery. The light c…
Total eclipse of the heart: The AM CVn Gaia14aae / ASSASN-14cn
H. C. Campbell, T. R. Marsh, M. Fraser +82
We report the discovery and characterisation of a deeply eclipsing AM CVn-system, Gaia14aae (= ASSASN-14cn). Gaia14aae was identified independently by the All-Sky Automated Survey…
Measuring nickel masses in Type Ia supernovae using cobalt emission in nebular phase spectra
Michael J. Childress, D. John Hillier, Ivo Seitenzahl +34
The light curves of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are powered by the radioactive decay of Ni to Co at early times, and the decay of Co to Fe from ~60 days…
On the diversity of super-luminous supernovae: ejected mass as the dominant factor
M. Nicholl, S. J. Smartt, A. Jerkstrand +37
We assemble a sample of 24 hydrogen-poor super-luminous supernovae (SLSNe). Parameterizing the light curve shape through rise and decline timescales shows that the two are highly c…
SN 2009ip at late times - an interacting transient at +2 years
Morgan Fraser, Rubina Kotak, Andrea Pastorello +31
We present photometric and spectroscopic observations of the interacting transient SN 2009ip taken during the 2013 and 2014 observing seasons. We characterise the photometric evolu…
A comparative study of Type II-P and II-L supernova rise times as exemplified by the case of LSQ13cuw
E. E. E. Gall, J. Polshaw, R. Kotak +17
We report on our findings based on the analysis of observations of the Type II-L supernova LSQ13cuw within the framework of currently accepted physical predictions of core-collapse…
PESSTO : survey description and products from the first data release by the Public ESO Spectroscopic Survey of Transient Objects
S. J. Smartt, S. Valenti, M. Fraser +99
The Public European Southern Observatory Spectroscopic Survey of Transient Objects (PESSTO) began as a public spectroscopic survey in April 2012. We describe the data reduction str…
OGLE-2013-SN-079: a lonely supernova consistent with a helium shell detonation
C. Inserra, S. A. Sim, L. Wyrzykowski +31
We present observational data for a peculiar supernova discovered by the OGLE-IV survey and followed by the Public ESO Spectroscopic Survey for Transient Objects. The inferred reds…
The host galaxy and late-time evolution of the Super-Luminous Supernova PTF12dam
T. -W. Chen, S. J. Smartt, A. Jerkstrand +14
Super-luminous supernovae of type Ic have a tendency to occur in faint host galaxies which are likely to have low mass and low metallicity. PTF12dam is one of the closest and best…
Detection of an outburst one year prior to the explosion of SN 2011ht
M. Fraser, M. Magee, R. Kotak +18
Using imaging from the Pan-STARRS1 survey, we identify a precursor outburst at epochs 287 and 170 days prior to the reported explosion of the purported Type IIn supernova (SN) 2011…