Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: We present observations of the unusual optical transient SN 2010U, including spectra taken 1.03 days to 15.3 days after maximum light that identify it as a fast and luminous Fe ii type nova. Our multi-band light curve traces the fast decline ( t 2 = 3.5 ± 0.3 days) from maximum light ( M V = −10.2 ± 0.1 mag), placing SN 2010U in the top 0.5% of the most luminous novae ever observed. We find typical ejecta velocities of ≈1100 km s −1 and that SN 2010U shares many spectral and photometric characteristics with two other fast and luminous Fe ii type novae, including Nova LMC 1991 and M31N-2007-11d. For the extreme luminosity of this nova, the maximum magnitude versus rate of decline relationship indicates a massive white dwarf (WD) progenitor with a low pre-outburst accretion rate. However, this prediction is in conflict with emerging theories of nova populations, which predict that luminous novae from massive WDs should preferentially exhibit an alternate spectral type (He/N) near maximum light.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
Institutions: Harvard University, Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian, Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, The University of Texas at Austin, Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte, National Institute for Astrophysics, Stockholm University, AlbaNova, Queen's University Belfast, University of Szeged
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funders: National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, University of Texas at Austin, Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Productiva, Hungarian Scientific Research Fund, Liverpool John Moores University, Ministry of Education, India, Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Goddard Space Flight Center, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Australian Research Council, Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica
Awards: G1140430070, G1182715895, G3651734116
OpenAlex ID: W2082446131