Early-time Ultraviolet Spectroscopy and Optical Follow-up Observations of the Type IIP Supernova 2021yja

Sergiy S. Vasylyev, Alexei V. Filippenko, Christian Vogl, Thomas G. Brink, Peter J. Brown, Thomas de Jaeger, Thomas Matheson, Avishay Gal-Yam, Paolo A. Mazzali, Maryam Modjaz, Kishore C. Patra, Micalyn Rowe, Nathan Smith, Schuyler D. Van Dyk, Marc Williamson, Yi Yang, Wei Kang Zheng, Asia deGraw, Ori D. Fox, Elinor L. GatesConnor Jennings, R. Michael Rich

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present three epochs of early-time ultraviolet (UV) and optical HST/STIS spectroscopy of the young, nearby Type IIP supernova (SN) 2021yja. We complement the HST data with two earlier epochs of Swift UVOT spectroscopy. The HST and Swift UVOT spectra are consistent with those of other well-studied Type IIP SNe. The UV spectra exhibit rapid cooling at early times, while less dramatic changes are seen in the optical. We also present Lick/KAIT optical photometry up to the late-time tail phase, showing a very long plateau and shallow decline compared with other SNe IIP. Our modeling of the UV spectrum with the TARDIS radiative transfer code produces a good fit for a high-velocity explosion, a low total extinction E(B − V) = 0.07 mag, and a subsolar metallicity. We do not find a significant contribution to the UV flux from an additional heating source, such as interaction with the circumstellar medium, consistent with the observed flat plateau. Furthermore, the velocity width of the Mg ii λ2798 line is comparable to that of the hydrogen Balmer lines, suggesting that the UV emission is confined to a region close to the photosphere.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number134
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume934
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2022

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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