UNMASKING THE SUPERNOVA IMPOSTORS

• Published in: The Astrophysical journal Vol. 758; no. 2; pp. 1 - 31
• Main Authors: KOCHANEK, C. S, SZCZYGIEL, D. M, STANEK, K. Z
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP 20-10-2012
• Subjects: Astronomy; Earth, ocean, space; Ejecta; Evolution; Exact sciences and technology; Massive stars; Monitoring; Pictures; Stars; Supernovas; Wavelengths; Energetics; Uncertainty; Supernovae; stars: evolution; SN 2001ac; Infrared observation; Luminosity; Mass loss; Loss rate; SN 2000ch; Stellar evolution; M stars; SN 1999bw; supernovae: general; Luminous blue variable star; Upper bound; SN 1997bs; SN 1961 V; supernovae: individual SN 1954J; Standard model; Supergiant stars; supergiants; Optical thickness
• ISSN: 0004-637X; 1538-4357
• DOI: 10.1088/0004-637X/758/2/142

The canonical picture of a supernova impostor is a short -11 [< or ~] MV [< or ~] -14 optical transient from a massive star during which the star ejects a dense shell of material. Dust formed in the ejecta then obscures the star. In this picture, the geometric expansion of the shell leads to clear predictions for the evolution of the optical depths and hence the evolution of the optical through mid-IR emissions. The durations and energetics of these transients cannot be properly characterized without near/mid-IR observations, and the fragmentary nature of the available data leads to considerable uncertainties in our understanding of the individual sources. Continued monitoring of the sources at both optical and near/mid-IR wavelengths should resolve these ambiguities.