Skip to main content
Home

Navigation Menu

  • Back
  • About
    • Back
    • About

      Contact Us

      Business Address
      5241 Broad Branch Rd. NW

      Washington , DC 20015
      United States place Map
      Call Us (202) 387-640
    • Who We Are
      • Back
      • Leadership
      • Board & Advisory Committee
      • Initiatives
      • Financial Stewardship
      • Awards & Accolades
      • History
    • Connect with Us
      • Back
      • Outreach & Education
      • Newsletter
      • Yearbook
    • Working at Carnegie

    Contact Us

    Business Address
    5241 Broad Branch Rd. NW

    Washington , DC 20015
    United States place Map
    Call Us (202) 387-6400
  • Research
    • Back
    • Research Areas & Topics
    • Research Areas & Topics
      • Back
      • Research Areas
      • From genomes to ecosystems and from planets to the cosmos, Carnegie Science is an incubator for cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research.
      • Astronomy & Astrophysics
        • Back
        • Astronomy & Astrophysics
        • Astrophysical Theory
        • Cosmology
        • Distant Galaxies
        • Milky Way & Stellar Evolution
        • Planet Formation & Evolution
        • Solar System & Exoplanets
        • Telescope Instrumentation
        • Transient & Compact Objects
      • Earth Science
        • Back
        • Earth Science
        • Experimental Petrology
        • Geochemistry
        • Geophysics & Geodynamics
        • Mineralogy & Mineral Physics
      • Ecology
        • Back
        • Ecology
        • Atmospheric Science & Energy
        • Adaptation to Climate Change
        • Water Quality & Scarcity
      • Genetics & Developmental Biology
        • Back
        • Genetics & Developmental Biology
        • Adaptation to Climate Change
        • Developmental Biology & Human Health
        • Genomics
        • Model Organism Development
        • Nested Ecosystems
        • Symbiosis
      • Matter at Extreme States
        • Back
        • Matter at Extreme States
        • Extreme Environments
        • Extreme Materials
        • Mineralogy & Mineral Physics
      • Planetary Science
        • Back
        • Planetary Science
        • Astrobiology
        • Cosmochemistry
        • Mineralogy & Mineral Physics
        • Planet Formation & Evolution
        • Solar System & Exoplanets
      • Plant Science
        • Back
        • Plant Science
        • Adaptation to Climate Change
        • Nested Ecosystems
        • Photosynthesis
        • Symbiosis
    • Divisions
      • Back
      • Divisions
      • Biosphere Sciences & Engineering
        • Back
        • Biosphere Sciences & Engineering
        • About

          Contact Us

          Business Address
          5241 Broad Branch Rd. NW

          Washington , DC 20015
          United States place Map
          Call Us (202) 387-640
        • Research
        • Culture
        • Path to Pasadena
      • Earth & Planets Laboratory
        • Back
        • Earth & Planets Laboratory
        • About

          Contact Us

          Business Address
          5241 Broad Branch Rd. NW

          Washington , DC 20015
          United States place Map
          Call Us (202) 387-640
        • Research
        • Culture
        • Campus
      • Observatories
        • Back
        • Observatories
        • About

          Contact Us

          Business Address
          5241 Broad Branch Rd. NW

          Washington , DC 20015
          United States place Map
          Call Us (202) 387-640
        • Research
        • Culture
        • Campus
    • Instrumentation
      • Back
      • Instrumentation
      • Our Telescopes
        • Back
        • Our Telescopes
        • Magellan Telescopes
        • Swope Telescope
        • du Pont Telescope
      • Observatories Machine Shop
      • EPL Research Facilities
      • EPL Machine Shop
      • Mass Spectrometry Facility
      • Advanced Imaging Facility
  • People
    • Back
    • People
      Observatory Staff

      Featured Staff Member

      Staff Member

      Staff Member

      Professional Title

      Learn More
      Observatory Staff

      Search For

    • Search All People
      • Back
      • Staff Scientists
      • Leadership
      • Biosphere Science & Engineering People
      • Earth & Planets Laboratory People
      • Observatories People
    Observatory Staff
    Dr. Allan Spradling
    Staff Scientist, Emeritus Director

    Featured Staff Member

    Allan Spradling portait

    Dr. Allan Spradling - HHMI

    Staff Scientist, Emeritus Director

    Learn More
    Observatory Staff
    Dr. Allan Spradling
    Staff Scientist, Emeritus Director

    Allan Spradling and his team focus on the biology of reproduction, particularly oogenesis — the process of egg formation.

    Search For

    Search All Staff
  • News
    • Back
    • News
    • Search All News
      • Back
      • Biosphere Science & Engineering News
      • Earth & Planets Laboratory News
      • Observatories News
      • Carnegie Science News
    News

    Recent News

    News

    Read all News
    Vera Rubin at Carnegie Science’s former Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, now part of the Earth and Planets Laboratory, in 1972 usi
    Breaking News
    June 18, 2025

    10 Iconic Photographs of Vera Rubin

    Vera Rubin at Lowell Observatory, 69-inch [i.e., 72-inch] Telescope (Kent Ford in white helmet)
    Breaking News
    June 17, 2025

    Things Named After Carnegie Astronomer Vera Rubin

    A gray-true color Mercury next to a colorized Mercury that combines visible and near infrared light to highlight the differences in surface composition.
    Breaking News
    June 17, 2025

    Inside Mercury: What Experimental Geophysics Is Revealing About Our Strangest Planet

  • Donate
    • Back
    • Donate
      - ,

    • Make a Donation
      • Back
      • Support Scientific Research
      • The Impact of Your Gift
      • Planned Giving
    Jo Ann Eder

    I feel passionately about the power of nonprofits to bolster healthy communities.

    - Jo Ann Eder , Astronomer and Alumna

    Header Text

    Postdoctoral alumna Jo Ann Eder is committed to making the world a better place by supporting organizations, like Carnegie, that create and foster STEM learning opportunities for all. 

    Learn more arrow_forward
  • Home

Abstract
We present panchromatic observations and modeling of the Calcium-rich supernova (SN) 2019ehk in the star-forming galaxy M100 (d approximate to 16.2 Mpc) starting 10 hr after explosion and continuing for similar to 300 days. SN 2019ehk shows a double-peaked optical light curve peaking at t = 3 and 15 days. The first peak is coincident with luminous, rapidly decaying Swift-XRT-discovered X-ray emission (L-x approximate to 10(41) erg s(-1) at 3 days; L-x proportional to t(-3)), and a Shane/Kast spectral detection of narrow Ha and He II emission lines (nu approximate to 500 km s(-1)) originating from pre-existent circumstellar material (CSM). We attribute this phenomenology to radiation from shock interaction with extended, dense material surrounding the progenitor star at r < 10(15) cm and the resulting cooling emission. We calculate a total CSM mass of similar to 7 x 10(-3) M-circle dot (M-He/M-H approximate to 6) with particle density n approximate to 10(9) cm(-3). Radio observations indicate a significantly lower density n < 10(4) cm(-3) at larger radii r > (0.1-1) x 10(17) cm. The photometric and spectroscopic properties during the second light-curve peak are consistent with those of Ca-rich transients (rise-time of t(r) = 13.4 +/- 0.210 days and a peak B-band magnitude of M-B = -15.1 +/- 0.200 mag). We find that SN 2019ehk synthesized (3.1 +/- 0.11) x 10(-2) M-circle dot of Ni-56 and ejected M-ej = (0.72 +/- 0.040) M-circle dot total with a kinetic energy E-k = (1.8 +/- 0.10) x 10(50) erg. Finally, deep HST pre-explosion imaging at the SN site constrains the parameter space of viable stellar progenitors to massive stars in the lowest mass bin (similar to 10 M-circle dot) in binaries that lost most of their He envelope or white dwarfs (WDs). The explosion and environment properties of SN 2019ehk further restrict the potential WD progenitor systems to low-mass hybrid HeCO WD+CO WD binaries.
View Full Publication open_in_new
Abstract
AT 2018hyz (= ASASSN-18zj) is a tidal disruption event (TDE) located in the nucleus of a quiescent E+A galaxy at a redshift of z = 0.04573, first detected by the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN). We present optical+UV photometry of the transient, as well as an X-ray spectrum and radio upper limits. The bolometric light curve of AT 2018hyz is comparable to other known TDEs and declines at a rate consistent with a t(-5/3) at early times, emitting a total radiated energy of E = 9 x 10(50) erg. An excess bump appears in the UV light curve about 50 d after bolometric peak, followed by a flattening beyond 250 d. We detect a constant X-ray source present for at least 86 d. The X-ray spectrum shows a total unabsorbed flux of similar to 4 x 10(-14) erg cm(-2) s(-1) and is best fit by a blackbody plus power-law model with a photon index of Gamma = 0.8. A thermal X-ray model is unable to account for photons >1 keV, while a radio non-detection favours inverse-Compton scattering rather than a jet for the non-thermal component. We model the optical and UV light curves using the Modular Open-Source Fitter for Transients (MOSFiT) and find a best fit for a black hole of 5.2 x 10(6) M-circle dot, disrupting a 0.1 M-circle dot, star; the model suggests the star was likely only partially disrupted, based on the derived impact parameter of beta = 0.6, The low optical depth implied by the small debris mass may explain how we are able to see hydrogen emission with disc-like line profiles in the spectra of AT2018hyz (see our companion paper).
View Full Publication open_in_new
Abstract
We present the photometric and spectroscopic evolution of the Type II supernova (SN II) SN 2017ivv (also known as ASASSN-17qp). Located in an extremely faint galaxy (M-r =-10.3 mag), SN 2017ivv shows an unprecedented evolution during the 2 yr of observations. At early times, the light curve shows a fast rise (similar to 6-8 d) to a peak of M-g(max) = -17.84 mag, followed by a very rapid decline of 7.94 +/- 0.48 mag per 100 d in the V band. The extensive photometric coverage at late phases shows that the radioactive tail has two slopes, one steeper than that expected from the decay of Co-56 (between 100 and 350 d), and another slower (after 450 d), probably produced by an additional energy source. From the bolometric light curve, we estimated that the amount of ejected 5(6)Ni is similar to 0.059 +/- 0.003M(circle dot). The nebular spectra of SN 2017ivv show a remarkable transformation that allows the evolution to be split into three phases: (1) H alpha strong phase (<200 d); (2) H alpha weak phase (between 200 and 350 d); and (3) H alpha broad phase (>500 d). We find that the nebular analysis favours a binary progenitor and an asymmetric explosion. Finally, comparing the nebular spectra of SN 2017ivv to models suggests a progenitor with a zero-age main-sequence mass of 15-17M(circle dot).
View Full Publication open_in_new
Abstract
The Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) LSQ14fmg exhibits exaggerated properties that may help to reveal the origin of the "super-Chandrasekhar" (or 03fg-like) group. The optical spectrum is typical of a 03fg-like SN Ia, but the light curves are unlike those of any SNe Ia observed. The light curves of LSQ14fmg rise extremely slowly. At -23 rest-frame days relative toB-band maximum, LSQ14fmg is already brighter thanJandHbands, far more luminous than any 03fg-like SNe Ia with near-infrared observations. At 1 month past maximum, the optical light curves decline rapidly. The early, slow rise and flat color evolution are interpreted to result from an additional excess flux from a power source other than the radioactive decay of the synthesized Ni-56. The excess flux matches the interaction with a typical superwind of an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star in density structure, mass-loss rate, and duration. The rapid decline starting at around 1 month pastB-band maximum may be an indication of rapid cooling by active carbon monoxide (CO) formation, which requires a low-temperature and high-density environment. These peculiarities point to an AGB progenitor near the end of its evolution and the core degenerate scenario as the likely explosion mechanism for LSQ14fmg.
View Full Publication open_in_new
Abstract
We present observations of ASASSN-19dj, a nearby tidal disruption event (TDE) discovered in the post-starburst galaxy KUG 0810+227 by the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) at a distance of d similar or equal to 98 Mpc. We observed ASASSN-19dj from -21 to 392 d relative to peak ultraviolet (UV)/optical emission using high-cadence, multiwavelength spectroscopy and photometry. From the ASAS-SN g-band data, we determine that the TDE began to brighten on 2019 February 6.8 and for the first 16 d the rise was consistent with a flux proportional to t(2) power law. ASASSN-19dj peaked in the UV/optical on 2019 March 6.5 (MJD = 58548.5) at a bolometric luminosity of L = (6.2 +/- 0.2) x 10(44) erg s(-1). Initially remaining roughly constant in X-rays and slowly fading in the UV/optical, the X-ray flux increased by over an order of magnitude similar to 225 d after peak, resulting from the expansion of the X-ray emitting region. The late-time X-ray emission is well fitted by a blackbody with an effective radius of similar to 1 x 10(12) cm and a temperature of similar to x 10(5) K. The X-ray hardness ratio becomes softer after brightening and then returns to a harder state as the X-rays fade. Analysis of Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey images reveals a nuclear outburst roughly 14.5 yr earlier with a smooth decline and a luminosity of L-V >= 1.4 x 10(43) erg s(-1), although the nature of the flare is unknown. ASASSN-19dj occurred in the most extreme post-starburst galaxy yet to host a TDE, with Lick H delta A = 7.67 +/- 0.17 angstrom.
View Full Publication open_in_new
Abstract
We present a study of the optical and near-infrared (NIR) spectra of SN 2013ai along with its light curves. These data range from discovery until 380 days after explosion. SN 2013ai is a fast declining Type II supernova (SN II) with an unusually long rise time, 18.9 2.7 days in the V-band, and a bright V-band peak absolute magnitude of -18.7 0.06 mag. The spectra are dominated by hydrogen features in the optical and NIR. The spectral features of SN 2013ai are unique in their expansion velocities, which, when compared to large samples of SNe II, are more than 1,000 km s(-1) faster at 50 days past explosion. In addition, the long rise time of the light curve more closely resembles SNe IIb rather than SNe II. If SN 2013ai is coeval with a nearby compact cluster, we infer a progenitor zero-age main-sequence mass of similar to 17 M. After performing light-curve modeling, we find that SN 2013ai could be the result of the explosion of a star with little hydrogen mass, a large amount of synthesized Ni-56, 0.3-0.4 M, and an explosion energy of 2.5-3.0 x 10(51) erg. The density structure and expansion velocities of SN 2013ai are similar to those of the prototypical SN IIb, SN 1993J. However, SN 2013ai shows no strong helium features in the optical, likely due to the presence of a dense core that prevents the majority of gamma-rays from escaping to excite helium. Our analysis suggests that SN 2013ai could be a link between SNe II and stripped-envelope SNe.
View Full Publication open_in_new
Abstract
We present photometric and spectroscopic observations of the 03fg-like Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) ASASSN-15hy from the ultraviolet (UV) to the near-infrared (NIR). ASASSN-15hy shares many of the hallmark characteristics of 03fg-like SNe Ia, previously referred to as "super-Chandrasekhar" SNe Ia. It is bright in the UV and NIR, lacks a clear i-band secondary maximum, shows a strong and persistent C ii feature, and has a low Si ii lambda 6355 velocity. However, some of its properties are also extreme among the subgroup. ASASSN-15hy is underluminous (M (B,peak) = -19.14(-0.16)(+0.11) mag), red ((B-V)(Bmax)= 0.18(-0.03)(+0.01) mag), yet slowly declining (Delta m (15)(B) = 0.72 +/- 0.04 mag). It has the most delayed onset of the i-band maximum of any 03fg-like SN. ASASSN-15hy lacks the prominent H-band break emission feature that is typically present during the first month past maximum in normal SNe Ia. Such events may be a potential problem for high-redshift SN Ia cosmology. ASASSN-15hy may be explained in the context of an explosion of a degenerate core inside a nondegenerate envelope. The explosion impacting the nondegenerate envelope with a large mass provides additional luminosity and low ejecta velocities. An initial deflagration burning phase is critical in reproducing the low Ni-56 mass and luminosity, while the large core mass is essential in providing the large diffusion timescales required to produce the broad light curves. The model consists of a rapidly rotating 1.47 M-circle dot degenerate core and a 0.8 M-circle dot nondegenerate envelope. This "deflagration core-degenerate" scenario may result from the merger between a white dwarf and the degenerate core of an asymptotic giant branch star.
View Full Publication open_in_new
Abstract
We present Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) integral-field spectroscopy of ESO 253-G003, which hosts a known active galactic nucleus (AGN) and the periodic nuclear transient ASASSN-14ko, observed as part of the All-weather MUse Supernova Integral-field of Nearby Galaxies survey. The MUSE observations reveal that the inner region hosts two AGN separated by 1.4 +/- 0.1 kpc (approximate to 1.'' 7). The brighter nucleus has asymmetric broad permitted emission-line profiles and is associated with the archival AGN designation. The fainter nucleus does not have a broad emission-line component but exhibits other AGN characteristics, including v(FWHM) approximate to 700 km s(-1) forbidden line emission, log(10)([O-III]/H beta) approximate to 1.1, and high-excitation potential emission lines, such as [Fe VII] lambda 6086 and He II lambda 4686. The host galaxy exhibits a disturbed morphology with large kpc-scale tidal features, potential outflows from both nuclei, and a likely superbubble. A circular relativistic disc model cannot reproduce the asymmetric broad emission-line profiles in the brighter nucleus, but two non-axisymmetric disc models provide good fits to the broad emission-line profiles: an elliptical disc model and a circular disc + spiral arm model. Implications for the periodic nuclear transient ASASSN-14ko are discussed.
View Full Publication open_in_new
Abstract
We present detailed investigation of a specific i-band light-curve feature in Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) using the rapid cadence and high signal-to-noise ratio light curves obtained by the Carnegie Supernova Project. The feature is present in most SNe Ia and emerges a few days after the i-band maximum. It is an abrupt change in curvature in the light curve over a few days and appears as a flattening in mild cases and a strong downward concave shape, or a 'kink', in the most extreme cases. We computed the second derivatives of Gaussian Process interpolations to study 54 rapid-cadence light curves. From the second derivatives we measure: (1) the timing of the feature in days relative to i-band maximum; tdm(2)(i) and (2) the strength and direction of the concavity in mag d(-2); dm(2)(i). 76 per cent of the SNe Ia show a negative dm(2)(i), representing a downward concavity - either a mild flattening or a strong 'kink'. The tdm(2)(i) parameter is shown to correlate with the colour-stretch parameter s(BV), a SN Ia primary parameter. The dm(2)(i) parameter shows no correlation with s(BV) and therefore provides independent information. It is also largely independent of the spectroscopic and environmental properties. Dividing the sample based on the strength of the light-curve feature as measured by dm(2)(i), SNe Ia with strong features have a Hubble diagram dispersion of 0.107 mag, 0.075 mag smaller than the group with weak features. Although larger samples should be obtained to test this result, it potentially offers a new method for improving SN Ia distance determinations without shifting to more costly near-infrared or spectroscopic observations.
View Full Publication open_in_new
Abstract
Type II supernovae (SNe II) show great photometric and spectroscopic diversity which is attributed to the varied physical characteristics of their progenitor and explosion properties. In this study, the third of a series of papers where we analyse a large sample of SNe II observed by the Carnegie Supernova Project-I, we present correlations between their observed and physical properties. Our analysis shows that explosion energy is the physical property that correlates with the highest number of parameters. We recover previously suggested relationships between the hydrogen-rich envelope mass and the plateau duration, and find that more luminous SNe II with higher expansion velocities, faster declining light curves, and higher Ni-56 masses are consistent with higher energy explosions. In addition, faster declining SNe II (usually called SNe IIL) are also compatible with more concentrated Ni-56 in the inner regions of the ejecta. Positive trends are found between the initial mass, explosion energy, and Ni-56 mass. While the explosion energy spans the full range explored with our models, the initial mass generally arises from a relatively narrow range. Observable properties were measured from our grid of bolometric LC and photospheric velocity models to determine the effect of each physical parameter on the observed SN II diversity. We argue that explosion energy is the physical parameter causing the greatest impact on SN II diversity, that is, assuming the non-rotating solar-metallicity single-star evolution as in the models used in this study. The inclusion of pre-SN models assuming higher mass loss produces a significant increase in the strength of some correlations, particularly those between the progenitor hydrogen-rich envelope mass and the plateau and optically thick phase durations. These differences clearly show the impact of having different treatments of stellar evolution, implying that changes in the assumption of standard single-star evolution are necessary for a complete understanding of SN II diversity.
View Full Publication open_in_new

Pagination

  • Previous page chevron_left
  • …
  • Page 443
  • Page 444
  • Page 445
  • Page 446
  • Current page 447
  • Page 448
  • Page 449
  • Page 450
  • Page 451
  • …
  • Next page chevron_right
Subscribe to

Get the latest

Subscribe to our newsletters.

Privacy Policy
Home
  • Instagram instagram
  • Twitter twitter
  • Youtube youtube
  • Facebook facebook

Science

  • Biosphere Sciences & Engineering
  • Earth & Planets Laboratory
  • Observatories
  • Research Areas
  • Strategic Initiatives

Legal

  • Financial Statements
  • Conflict of Interest Policy
  • Privacy Policy

Careers

  • Working at Carnegie
  • Scientific and Technical Jobs
  • Postdoctoral Program
  • Administrative & Support Jobs
  • Carnegie Connect (For Employees)

Contact Us

  • Contact Administration
  • Media Contacts

Business Address

5241 Broad Branch Rd. NW

Washington, DC 20015

place Map

© Copyright Carnegie Science 2025