The type Ia supernova SNLS-03D3bb from a super-Chandrasekhar-mass white dwarf star

D. Andrew Howell (), Mark Sullivan, Peter E. Nugent, Richard S. Ellis, Alexander J. Conley, Damien Le Borgne, Raymond G. Carlberg, Julien Guy, David Balam, Stephane Basa, Dominique Fouchez, Isobel M. Hook, Eric Y. Hsiao, James D. Neill, Reynald Pain, Kathryn M. Perrett and Christopher J. Pritchet
Additional contact information
D. Andrew Howell: University of Toronto
Mark Sullivan: University of Toronto
Peter E. Nugent: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Richard S. Ellis: California Institute of Technology
Alexander J. Conley: University of Toronto
Damien Le Borgne: DAPNIA/Service d'Astrophysique, CEA/Saclay
Raymond G. Carlberg: University of Toronto
Julien Guy: LPNHE, CNRS-IN2P3 and University of Paris VI and VII
David Balam: University of Victoria
Stephane Basa: LAM CNRS, BP8, Traverse du Siphon
Dominique Fouchez: CPPM, CNRS-IN2P3 and University Aix Marseille II, Case 907
Isobel M. Hook: University of Oxford Astrophysics, Denys Wilkinson Building
Eric Y. Hsiao: University of Victoria
James D. Neill: University of Victoria
Reynald Pain: LPNHE, CNRS-IN2P3 and University of Paris VI and VII
Kathryn M. Perrett: University of Toronto
Christopher J. Pritchet: University of Victoria

Nature, 2006, vol. 443, issue 7109, 308-311

Abstract: Candle in the wind Type Ia supernovae are used as cosmological distance indicators. It is through them that the accelerating expansion of the Universe was detected, and with it the implied existence of dark energy. Their presumed reliability as 'standard candles' stems from the fact they have a fixed amount of fuel and a uniform trigger: they are predicted to explode when the mass of the white dwarf nears 1.4 solar masses, the 'Chandrasekhar' mass. Howell et al. now show that the high-redshift supernova SNLS-03D3bb does not play by these rules: its exceptionally high luminosity and low kinetic energy imply a super-Chandrasekhar mass progenitor. So future cosmological studies may need to consider possible contamination from such events when calculating distances.

Date: 2006
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DOI: 10.1038/nature05103

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