An asymptotic-giant-branch star in the progenitor system of a type Ia supernova

Mario Hamuy (), M. M. Phillips, Nicholas B. Suntzeff, José Maza, L. E. González, Miguel Roth, Kevin Krisciunas, Nidia Morrell, E. M. Green, S. E. Persson and P. J. McCarthy
Additional contact information
Mario Hamuy: Carnegie Observatories
M. M. Phillips: Las Campanas Observatory, Carnegie Observatories
Nicholas B. Suntzeff: Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, National Optical Astronomy Observatories
José Maza: Universidad de Chile
L. E. González: Universidad de Chile
Miguel Roth: Las Campanas Observatory, Carnegie Observatories
Kevin Krisciunas: Las Campanas Observatory, Carnegie Observatories
Nidia Morrell: Las Campanas Observatory, Carnegie Observatories
E. M. Green: University of Arizona, Steward Observatory
S. E. Persson: Carnegie Observatories
P. J. McCarthy: Carnegie Observatories

Nature, 2003, vol. 424, issue 6949, 651-654

Abstract: Abstract Stars that explode as supernovae come in two main classes. A type Ia supernova is recognized by the absence of hydrogen and the presence of elements such as silicon and sulphur in its spectrum; this class of supernova is thought to produce the majority of iron-peak elements in the Universe. They are also used as precise ‘standard candles’ to measure the distances to galaxies. While there is general agreement that a type Ia supernova is produced by an exploding white dwarf star1, no progenitor system has ever been directly observed. Significant effort has gone into searching for circumstellar material to help discriminate between the possible kinds of progenitor systems2, but no such material has hitherto been found associated with a type Ia supernova3. Here we report the presence of strong hydrogen emission associated with the type Ia supernova SN2002ic, indicating the presence of large amounts of circumstellar material. We infer from this that the progenitor system contained a massive asymptotic-giant-branch star that lost several solar masses of hydrogen-rich gas before the supernova explosion.

Date: 2003
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DOI: 10.1038/nature01854

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