Koji S. Kawabata

An optical supernova associated with the X-ray flash XRF 060218

Long-duration γ-ray bursts (GRBs) are associated with type Ic supernovae that are more luminous than average and that eject material at very high velocities. Less-luminous supernovae were not hitherto known to be associated with GRBs, and therefore GRB–supernovae were thought to be rare events. Whether X-ray flashes—analogues of GRBs, but with lower luminosities and fewer γ-rays—can also be associated with supernovae, and whether they are intrinsically ‘weak’ events or typical GRBs viewed off the axis of the burst, is unclear. Here we report the optical discovery and follow-up observations of the type Ic supernova SN 2006aj associated with X-ray flash XRF 060218. Supernova 2006aj is intrinsically less luminous than the GRB–supernovae, but more luminous than many supernovae not accompanied by a GRB. The ejecta velocities derived from our spectra are intermediate between these two groups, which is consistent with the weakness of both the GRB output and the supernova radio flux. Our data, combined with radio and X-ray observations, suggest that XRF 060218 is an intrinsically weak and soft event, rather than a classical GRB observed off-axis. This extends the GRB–supernova connection to X-ray flashes and fainter supernovae, implying a common origin. Events such as XRF 060218 are probably more numerous than GRB–supernovae.

An optical spectrum of the afterglow of a γ-ray burst at a redshift of z = 6.295

The prompt γ-ray emission from γ-ray bursts (GRBs) should be detectable out to distances of z > 10 (ref. 1), and should therefore provide an excellent probe of the evolution of cosmic star formation, reionization of the intergalactic medium, and the metal enrichment history of the Universe. Hitherto, the highest measured redshift for a GRB has been z = 4.50 (ref. 5). Here we report the optical spectrum of the afterglow of GRB 050904 obtained 3.4 days after the burst; the spectrum shows a clear continuum at the long-wavelength end of the spectrum with a sharp cut-off at around 9,000 Å due to Lyman α absorption at z ≈ 6.3 (with a damping wing). A system of absorption lines of heavy elements at z = 6.295 ± 0.002 was also detected, yielding the precise measurement of the redshift. The Si ii fine-structure lines suggest a dense, metal-enriched environment around the progenitor of the GRB.

THE TYPE IC HYPERNOVA SN 2002AP

Photometric and spectroscopic data of the energetic Type Ic supernova (SN) 2002ap are presented, and the properties of the SN are investigated through models of its spectral evolution and its light curve. The SN is spectroscopically similar to the hypernova SN 1997ef. However, its kinetic energy [~(4-10) ? 1051 ergs] and the mass ejected (2.5-5 M?) are smaller, resulting in a faster evolving light curve. The SN synthesized ~0.07 M? of 56Ni, and its peak luminosity was similar to that of normal SNe. Brightness alone should not be used to define a hypernova, whose defining character, namely very broad spectral features, is the result of high kinetic energy. The likely main-sequence mass of the progenitor star was 20-25 M?, which is also lower than that of both hypernovae SN 1997ef and SN 1998bw. SN 2002ap appears to lie at the low-energy and low-mass end of the hypernova sequence as it is known so far. Observations of the nebular spectrum, which is expected to dominate by the summer of 2002, are necessary to confirm these values.

Asphericity in Supernova Explosions from Late-Time Spectroscopy

Core-collapse supernovae (CC-SNe) are the explosions that announce the death of massive stars. Some CC-SNe are linked to long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and are highly aspherical. One important question is to what extent asphericity is common to all CC-SNe. Here we present late-time spectra for a number of CC-SNe from stripped-envelope stars and use them to explore any asphericity generated in the inner part of the exploding star, near the site of collapse. A range of oxygen emission-line profiles is observed, including a high incidence of double-peaked profiles, a distinct signature of an aspherical explosion. Our results suggest that all CC-SNe from stripped-envelope stars are aspherical explosions and that SNe accompanied by GRBs exhibit the highest degree of asphericity.

An Asymmetric Energetic Type Ic Supernova Viewed Off-Axis, and a Link to Gamma Ray Bursts

Type Ic supernovae, the explosions after the core collapse of massive stars that have previously lost their hydrogen and helium envelopes, are particularly interesting because of their link with long-duration gamma ray bursts. Although indications exist that these explosions are aspherical, direct evidence has been missing. Late-time observations of supernova SN 2003jd, a luminous type Ic supernova, provide such evidence. Recent Subaru and Keck spectra reveal double-peaked profiles in the nebular lines of neutral oxygen and magnesium. These profiles are different from those of known type Ic supernovae, with or without a gamma ray burst, and they can be understood if SN 2003jd was an aspherical axisymmetric explosion viewed from near the equatorial plane. If SN 2003jd was associated with a gamma ray burst, we missed the burst because it was pointing away from us.

The Unique Type Ib Supernova 2005bf at Nebular Phases: A Possible Birth Event of a Strongly Magnetized Neutron Star*

Late-phase nebular spectra and photometry of Type Ib Supernova (SN) 2005bf taken by the Subaru telescope at ~270 and ~310 days since the explosion are presented. Emission lines ([O I] ??6300, 6363; [Ca II] ??7291, 7324; and [Fe II] ?7155) show a blueshift of ~1500-2000 km s-1. The [O I] doublet shows a doubly peaked profile. The line luminosities can be interpreted as coming from a blob or jet containing only ~0.1-0.4 M?, in which ~0.02-0.06 M? is 56Ni synthesized at the explosion. To explain the blueshift, the blob should either be unipolar, moving at the center-of-mass velocity v ~ 2000-5000 km s-1, or suffer from self-absorption within the ejecta, as seen in SN 1990I. In both interpretations, the low-mass blob component dominates the optical output both at the first peak (~20 days) and at the late phase (~300 days). The low luminosity at the late phase (the absolute R magnitude MR ~ -10.2 mag at ~270 days) sets the upper limit for the mass of 56Ni 0.08 M?, which is in contradiction to the value necessary to explain the second, main peak luminosity (MR ~ -18.3 mag at ~40 days). Encountered by this difficulty in the 56Ni heating model, we suggest an alternative scenario in which the heating source is a newly born, strongly magnetized neutron star (a magnetar) with the surface magnetic field Bmag ~ 1014-1015 G and the initial spin period P0 ~ 10 ms. Then, SN 2005bf could be a link between normal SNe Ib/c and an X-ray flash associated SN 2006aj, connected in terms of Bmag and/or P0.

SN 2005cs in M51 – I. The first month of evolution of a subluminous SN II plateau

Early-time optical observations of supernova (SN) 2005cs in the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) are reported. Photometric data suggest that SN 2005cs is a moderately underluminous Type II plateau SN (SN IIP). The SN was unusually blue at early epochs (U − B ≈− 0.9 about three days after explosion) which indicates very high continuum temperatures. The spectra show relatively narrow P Cygni features, suggesting ejecta velocities lower than observed in more typical SNe IIP. The earliest spectra show weak absorption features in the blue wing of the He I 5876-A absorption component and, less clearly, of Hβ and Hα. Based on spectral modelling, two different interpretations can be proposed: these features may either be due to high-velocity H and He I components, or (more likely) be produced by different ions (N II ,S iII). Analogies with the low-luminosity, 56 Ni-poor, low-velocity SNe IIP are also discussed. While a more extended spectral coverage is necessary in order to determine accurately the properties of the progenitor star, published estimates of the progenitor mass seem not to be consistent with stellar evolution models.

The type Ic hypernova SN 2003dh / GRB 030329

The spectra of SN 2003dh, identified in the afterglow of GRB 030329, are modeled using radiation transport codes. It is shown that SN 2003dh had a high explosion kinetic energy (~4 × 1052 ergs in spherical symmetry), making it one of the most powerful hypernovae observed so far and supporting the case for association between hypernovae and gamma-ray bursts. However, the light curve derived from fitting the spectra suggests that SN 2003dh was not as bright as SN 1998bw, ejecting only ~0.35 M☉ of 56Ni. The spectra of SN 2003dh resemble those of SN 1998bw around maximum, but later they look more like those of the less energetic hypernova SN 1997ef. The spectra and the inferred light curve can be modeled adopting a density distribution similar to that used for SN 1998bw at v > 25,000 km s-1 but more like that of SN 1997ef at lower velocities. The mass of the ejecta is ~8 M☉, somewhat less than in the other two hypernovae. The progenitor must have been a massive star (M ~ 35-40 M☉), as for other hypernovae. The need to combine different one-dimensional explosion models strongly indicates that SN 2003dh was an asymmetric explosion.

Early Phase Obserbations of Extermely Luminous Type Ia Supernova 2009dc

We present early phase observations in optical and near-infrared wavelengths for the extremely luminous Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) 2009dc. The decline rate of the light curve is ?m 15(B) = 0.65 ? 0.03, which is one of the slowest among SNe Ia. The peak V-band absolute magnitude is estimated to be MV = ?19.90 ? 0.15?mag if no host extinction is assumed. It reaches MV = ?20.19 ? 0.19?mag if we assume the host extinction of AV = 0.29?mag. SN 2009dc belongs to the most luminous class of SNe Ia, like SNe 2003fg and 2006gz. Our JHKs -band photometry shows that this SN is also one of the most luminous SNe Ia in near-infrared wavelengths. We estimate the ejected 56Ni mass of 1.2 ? 0.3 M ? for the no host extinction case (and of 1.6 ? 0.4 M ? for the host extinction of AV = 0.29?mag). The C II ?6580 absorption line remains visible until a week after the maximum brightness, in contrast to its early disappearance in SN 2006gz. The line velocity of Si II ?6355 is about 8000?km?s?1 around the maximum, being considerably slower than that of SN 2006gz. The velocity of the C II line is similar to or slightly less than that of the Si II line around the maximum. The presence of the carbon line suggests that the thick unburned C+O layer remains after the explosion. Spectropolarimetric observations by Tanaka et?al. indicate that the explosion is nearly spherical. These observational facts suggest that SN 2009dc is a super-Chandrasekhar mass SN Ia.

Current performance and on-going improvements of the 8.2 m Subaru Telescope

An overview of the current status of the 8.2m Subaru Telescope constructed and operated at Mauna Kea, Hawaii, by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan is presented. The basic design concept and the verified performance of the telescope system are described. Also given are the status of the instrument package offered to the astronomical community, the status of operation, and some of the future plans. The status of the telescope reported in a number of SPIE papers as of the summer of 2002 are incorporated with some updates included as of 2004 February. However, readers are encouraged to check the most updated status of the telescope through the home page, http://subarutelescope.org/index.html, and/or the direct contact with the observatory staff.