TY - JOUR
T1 - Ultraviolet spectroscopy of supernovae
T2 - The first two years of swift observations
AU - Bufano, F.
AU - Immler, S.
AU - Turatto, M.
AU - Landsman, W.
AU - Brown, P.
AU - Benetti, S.
AU - Cappellaro, E.
AU - Holland, S. T.
AU - Mazzali, P.
AU - Milne, P.
AU - Panagia, N.
AU - Pian, E.
AU - Roming, P.
AU - Zampieri, L.
AU - Breeveld, A. A.
AU - Gehrels, N.
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - We present the entire sample of ultraviolet (UV) spectra of supernovae (SNe) obtained with the Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope (UVOT) on board the Swift satellite during the first two years of observations (2005/2006). A total of 29 UV-grism and 22 V-grism spectra of nine SNe have been collected, of which six are thermonuclear (Type Ia) and three core-collapse (Type Ibc/II) SNe. All the spectra have been obtained during the photospheric phase. After a comparison of the spectra of our sample with those in the literature (SNe 1992A, 1990N, and 1999em), we confirm some degree of diversity in the UV emission of Type Ia SNe and a greater homogeneity in the Type II Plateau SN sample. Signatures of interaction between the ejecta and the circumstellar environment have been found in the UV spectrum of SN 2006jc, the only SN Type Ib/c for which UVOT grism data are available. Currently, Swift UVOT is the best suited instrument for early SN studies in the UV due to its fast response and flexible scheduling capabilities. However, in order to increase the quality of the data and significantly improve our understanding of the UV properties of SNe and to fully maximize the scientific potential of UVOT grism observations, a larger investment in observing time and longer exposures are needed.
AB - We present the entire sample of ultraviolet (UV) spectra of supernovae (SNe) obtained with the Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope (UVOT) on board the Swift satellite during the first two years of observations (2005/2006). A total of 29 UV-grism and 22 V-grism spectra of nine SNe have been collected, of which six are thermonuclear (Type Ia) and three core-collapse (Type Ibc/II) SNe. All the spectra have been obtained during the photospheric phase. After a comparison of the spectra of our sample with those in the literature (SNe 1992A, 1990N, and 1999em), we confirm some degree of diversity in the UV emission of Type Ia SNe and a greater homogeneity in the Type II Plateau SN sample. Signatures of interaction between the ejecta and the circumstellar environment have been found in the UV spectrum of SN 2006jc, the only SN Type Ib/c for which UVOT grism data are available. Currently, Swift UVOT is the best suited instrument for early SN studies in the UV due to its fast response and flexible scheduling capabilities. However, in order to increase the quality of the data and significantly improve our understanding of the UV properties of SNe and to fully maximize the scientific potential of UVOT grism observations, a larger investment in observing time and longer exposures are needed.
KW - Supernovae: general
KW - Supernovae: individual (SNe 2005am, 2005cf, 2005cs, 2005df, 2005ke, 2005hk,2006X, 2006bp, 2006jc)
KW - Ultraviolet: general
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=70449954305&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=70449954305&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1088/0004-637X/700/2/1456
DO - 10.1088/0004-637X/700/2/1456
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:70449954305
SN - 0004-637X
VL - 700
SP - 1456
EP - 1472
JO - Astrophysical Journal
JF - Astrophysical Journal
IS - 2
ER -