SN 2007ax: An extremely faint Type Ia supernova

M. M. Kasliwal; E. O. Ofek; A. Gal-Yam; A. Rau; P. J. Brown; S. B. Cenko; P. B. Cameron; R. Quimby; S. R. Kulkarni; L. Blldsten; P. Milne; G. Bryngelson

doi:10.1086/591521

SN 2007ax: An extremely faint Type Ia supernova

M. M. Kasliwal, E. O. Ofek, A. Gal-Yam, A. Rau, P. J. Brown, S. B. Cenko, P. B. Cameron, R. Quimby, S. R. Kulkarni, L. Blldsten, P. Milne, G. Bryngelson

Steward Observatory

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present multiband photometric and optical spectroscopic observations of SN 2007ax, the faintest and reddest Type la supernova (SN Ia) yet observed. With M_B=-15.9 and (B-V)_max=1.2, this SN is over half a magnitude fainter at maximum light than any other SN la. Similar to subluminous SN 2005ke, SN 2007ax also appears to show excess in UV emission at late time. Traditionally, δm_l5(B) has been used to parameterize the decline rate for SNe la. However, the B-band transition from fast to slow decline occurs sooner than 15 days for faint SNe la. Therefore we suggest that a more physically motivated parameter, the time of intersection of the two slopes, be used instead. Only by explaining the faintest (and the brightest) supernovae can we thoroughly understand the physics of thermonuclear explosions. We suggest that future surveys should carefully design their cadence, depth, pointings, and follow-up to find an unbiased sample of extremely faint members of this subclass of faint SNe la.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	L29-L32
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Volume	683
Issue number	1 PART 2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/591521
State	Published - 2008

Keywords

General-ultraviolet
Individual (sn 2007ax, SN 1991bg, SN 1999by, SN 2005ke)
Stars
Supernovae

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

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10.1086/591521

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title = "SN 2007ax: An extremely faint Type Ia supernova",

abstract = "We present multiband photometric and optical spectroscopic observations of SN 2007ax, the faintest and reddest Type la supernova (SN Ia) yet observed. With MB=-15.9 and (B-V)max=1.2, this SN is over half a magnitude fainter at maximum light than any other SN la. Similar to subluminous SN 2005ke, SN 2007ax also appears to show excess in UV emission at late time. Traditionally, δml5(B) has been used to parameterize the decline rate for SNe la. However, the B-band transition from fast to slow decline occurs sooner than 15 days for faint SNe la. Therefore we suggest that a more physically motivated parameter, the time of intersection of the two slopes, be used instead. Only by explaining the faintest (and the brightest) supernovae can we thoroughly understand the physics of thermonuclear explosions. We suggest that future surveys should carefully design their cadence, depth, pointings, and follow-up to find an unbiased sample of extremely faint members of this subclass of faint SNe la.",

keywords = "General-ultraviolet, Individual (sn 2007ax, SN 1991bg, SN 1999by, SN 2005ke), Stars, Supernovae",

author = "Kasliwal, {M. M.} and Ofek, {E. O.} and A. Gal-Yam and A. Rau and Brown, {P. J.} and Cenko, {S. B.} and Cameron, {P. B.} and R. Quimby and Kulkarni, {S. R.} and L. Blldsten and P. Milne and G. Bryngelson",

year = "2008",

doi = "10.1086/591521",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "683",

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T1 - SN 2007ax

T2 - An extremely faint Type Ia supernova

AU - Kasliwal, M. M.

AU - Ofek, E. O.

AU - Gal-Yam, A.

AU - Rau, A.

AU - Brown, P. J.

AU - Cenko, S. B.

AU - Cameron, P. B.

AU - Quimby, R.

AU - Kulkarni, S. R.

AU - Blldsten, L.

AU - Milne, P.

AU - Bryngelson, G.

PY - 2008

Y1 - 2008

N2 - We present multiband photometric and optical spectroscopic observations of SN 2007ax, the faintest and reddest Type la supernova (SN Ia) yet observed. With MB=-15.9 and (B-V)max=1.2, this SN is over half a magnitude fainter at maximum light than any other SN la. Similar to subluminous SN 2005ke, SN 2007ax also appears to show excess in UV emission at late time. Traditionally, δml5(B) has been used to parameterize the decline rate for SNe la. However, the B-band transition from fast to slow decline occurs sooner than 15 days for faint SNe la. Therefore we suggest that a more physically motivated parameter, the time of intersection of the two slopes, be used instead. Only by explaining the faintest (and the brightest) supernovae can we thoroughly understand the physics of thermonuclear explosions. We suggest that future surveys should carefully design their cadence, depth, pointings, and follow-up to find an unbiased sample of extremely faint members of this subclass of faint SNe la.

AB - We present multiband photometric and optical spectroscopic observations of SN 2007ax, the faintest and reddest Type la supernova (SN Ia) yet observed. With MB=-15.9 and (B-V)max=1.2, this SN is over half a magnitude fainter at maximum light than any other SN la. Similar to subluminous SN 2005ke, SN 2007ax also appears to show excess in UV emission at late time. Traditionally, δml5(B) has been used to parameterize the decline rate for SNe la. However, the B-band transition from fast to slow decline occurs sooner than 15 days for faint SNe la. Therefore we suggest that a more physically motivated parameter, the time of intersection of the two slopes, be used instead. Only by explaining the faintest (and the brightest) supernovae can we thoroughly understand the physics of thermonuclear explosions. We suggest that future surveys should carefully design their cadence, depth, pointings, and follow-up to find an unbiased sample of extremely faint members of this subclass of faint SNe la.

KW - General-ultraviolet

KW - Individual (sn 2007ax, SN 1991bg, SN 1999by, SN 2005ke)

KW - Stars

KW - Supernovae

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SP - L29-L32

JO - Astrophysical Journal

JF - Astrophysical Journal

IS - 1 PART 2

ER -

SN 2007ax: An extremely faint Type Ia supernova

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Keywords

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