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. Bildsten; P. Milne; G. Bryngelson

doi:10.1086/591963

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. Bildsten, P. Milne, G. Bryngelson

Steward Observatory

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

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present multiband photometric and optical spectroscopic observations of SN 2007ax, the faintest and reddest Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) yet observed. With M_B p-15.9 and (B-V)_max p 1.2, this SN is over half a magnitude fainter at maximum light than any other SN Ia. Similar to subluminous SN 2005ke, SN 2007ax also appears to show excess in UV emission at late time. Traditionally, &doltam₁₅(B) has been used to parameterize the decline rate for SNe Ia. However, the B-band transition from fast to slow decline occurs sooner than 15 days for faint SNe Ia. 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 Ia.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	L29-L32
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Volume	684
Issue number	1 PART 2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/591963
State	Published - 2008

Keywords

General
Individual (SN 2007ax
SN 1991bg
SN 1999by
SN 2005ke)
Stars
Supernovae
Ultraviolet

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

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10.1086/591963

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@article{6266d7253464441a850e00e3648599ac,

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 Ia supernova (SN Ia) yet observed. With MB p-15.9 and (B-V)max p 1.2, this SN is over half a magnitude fainter at maximum light than any other SN Ia. Similar to subluminous SN 2005ke, SN 2007ax also appears to show excess in UV emission at late time. Traditionally, &doltam15(B) has been used to parameterize the decline rate for SNe Ia. However, the B-band transition from fast to slow decline occurs sooner than 15 days for faint SNe Ia. 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 Ia.",

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

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. Bildsten and P. Milne and G. Bryngelson",

year = "2008",

doi = "10.1086/591963",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "684",

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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 - Bildsten, 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 Ia supernova (SN Ia) yet observed. With MB p-15.9 and (B-V)max p 1.2, this SN is over half a magnitude fainter at maximum light than any other SN Ia. Similar to subluminous SN 2005ke, SN 2007ax also appears to show excess in UV emission at late time. Traditionally, &doltam15(B) has been used to parameterize the decline rate for SNe Ia. However, the B-band transition from fast to slow decline occurs sooner than 15 days for faint SNe Ia. 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 Ia.

AB - We present multiband photometric and optical spectroscopic observations of SN 2007ax, the faintest and reddest Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) yet observed. With MB p-15.9 and (B-V)max p 1.2, this SN is over half a magnitude fainter at maximum light than any other SN Ia. Similar to subluminous SN 2005ke, SN 2007ax also appears to show excess in UV emission at late time. Traditionally, &doltam15(B) has been used to parameterize the decline rate for SNe Ia. However, the B-band transition from fast to slow decline occurs sooner than 15 days for faint SNe Ia. 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 Ia.

KW - General

KW - Individual (SN 2007ax

KW - SN 1991bg

KW - SN 1999by

KW - SN 2005ke)

KW - Stars

KW - Supernovae

KW - Ultraviolet

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DO - 10.1086/591963

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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

Abstract

Keywords

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