Supernova Ia progenitors

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In summary, the paper discusses the first evidence of a type Ia supernova formed through the single degenerate mode and its implications on the double degenerate mode. It also mentions the rarity of subluminous type Ia supernovae and their newly proposed classification as type Iax supernovae. However, the paper lacks information about the ejecta velocity of the specific supernova being studied.
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This paper - http://arxiv.org/abs/1505.05158, Strong Ultraviolet Pulse From a Newborn Type Ia Supernova- discusses the first well established evidence of a type Ia supernova formed via the single degenerate mode. The double degenerate mode has gained considerable support over the past decade or so given the lack of evidence of any surviving companion star after an SNIa event. The single degenerate mode suffers the undeniable [and fortuitous] handicap that SNIa are generally too distant to permit detection of any surviving companion stars. It appears this particular SNIa belongs to a class of subluminous SNIa that are generally not relied upon as standard candles, although potential cosmological implications are not really addressed.
 
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Chronos said:
This paper - http://arxiv.org/abs/1505.05158, Strong Ultraviolet Pulse From a Newborn Type Ia Supernova- discusses the first well established evidence of a type Ia supernova formed via the single degenerate mode. The double degenerate mode has gained considerable support over the past decade or so given the lack of evidence of any surviving companion star after an SNIa event. The single degenerate mode suffers the undeniable [and fortuitous] handicap that SNIa are generally too distant to permit detection of any surviving companion stars. It appears this particular SNIa belongs to a class of subluminous SNIa that are generally not relied upon as standard candles, although potential cosmological implications are not really addressed.
I wish the paper had included information concerning the velocity of the ejecta. Subluminous, or sub-Chandrasekhar, type Ia SNe are a relatively newly discovered phenomena. A new classification of SNe was proposed two years ago in order to distinguish them from the stereotypical Chandrasekhar type Ia SNe. The proposed new type Iax SNe have characteristics that allow us to easily distinguish between the two. For example, the ejecta velocity of all type Iax SNe is less than 8,000 km/s, the absolute visual magnitude varies between -14.2 and -18.9, and they have the same light-curve shape as SN 2002cx (which the paper you posted also references). All type Ia SNe have an ejecta velocity greater than 10,000 km/s and less than ~30,000 km/s, and have an absolute visual magnitude of -19.3.

According to the paper you posted, the iPTF14atg SN had an absolute magnitude of -17.9 and a similar light-curve shape as SN 2002cx, but it does not include information concerning the ejecta velocity. It is estimated that approximately 31% of all type Ia SNe are actually sub-Chandrasekhar type Iax SNe.

Type Iax Supernovae: A New Class of Stellar Explosion - The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 767, Number 1, Published March 25, 2013 (free issue)
 
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1. What is a supernova Ia progenitor?

A supernova Ia progenitor is a star that eventually explodes in a supernova Ia event. These stars are typically white dwarfs, which are the remnants of low-mass stars that have used up all their nuclear fuel. When a white dwarf reaches a certain mass, it can no longer support itself against gravity and collapses, resulting in a massive explosion.

2. How do scientists identify supernova Ia progenitors?

Scientists use a variety of methods to identify supernova Ia progenitors. One method is to observe the light emitted by the explosion and look for signs of a white dwarf in the spectrum. Another method is to study the properties of the star's environment, such as its age and chemical composition, to determine if it is likely to have produced a white dwarf. Additionally, scientists can use computer simulations to study the evolution of stars and predict which ones are likely to become supernova Ia progenitors.

3. What makes supernova Ia progenitors important in astrophysics?

Supernova Ia progenitors are important in astrophysics because they play a key role in the evolution of galaxies. They are also used as standard candles, which means that their brightness is predictable and can be used to measure distances in the universe. This has allowed scientists to make important discoveries about the expansion of the universe and the nature of dark energy.

4. Can supernova Ia progenitors be observed before they explode?

Yes, in some cases, supernova Ia progenitors can be observed before they explode. This is known as a "pre-supernova" event and can provide valuable insight into the final stages of a star's life. However, not all supernova Ia progenitors can be observed before they explode, so scientists still have much to learn about these events.

5. Are all supernova Ia progenitors the same?

No, not all supernova Ia progenitors are the same. While most are believed to be white dwarfs, there are other potential progenitors that have been proposed, such as merging white dwarfs or a white dwarf and a main-sequence star. The exact mechanism for these explosions is still being studied, and the diversity of potential progenitors adds to the complexity of the research.

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