Year: 2005
Type: article
Abstract: An explanation is given of the low value of R λ ≡ A λ / E ( B - V ), the ratio of absolute to selective extinction deduced from Type Ia supernova observations. The idea involves scattering by dust clouds located in the circumstellar environment or at the highest velocity shells of the supernova ejecta. The scattered light tends to reduce the effective R λ in the optical but has an opposite effect in the ultraviolet. The presence of circumstellar dust can be tested by ultraviolet to near-infrared observations and by multiepoch spectropolarimetry of Type Ia supernovae.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
DOI: 10.1086/499053
Author: Lifan Wang
Institution: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2022554722