Bibcode
Telesco, C. M.; Höflich, Peter; Li, Dan; Álvarez, C.; Wright, Christopher M.; Barnes, Peter J.; Fernández, S.; Hough, James H.; Levenson, N. A.; Mariñas, Naibí; Packham, Christopher; Pantin, Eric; Rebolo, R.; Roche, Patrick; Zhang, Han
Bibliographical reference
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 798, Issue 2, article id. 93, 9 pp. (2015).
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1
2015
Journal
Citations
51
Refereed citations
41
Description
We present a time series of 8-13 μm spectra and photometry for SN
2014J obtained 57, 81, 108, and 137 days after the explosion using
CanariCam on the Gran Telescopio Canarias. This is the first mid-IR time
series ever obtained for a Type Ia supernova (SN Ia). These observations
can be understood within the framework of the delayed detonation model
and the production of ~0.6 M ☉ of 56Ni,
consistent with the observed brightness, the brightness decline
relation, and the γ-ray fluxes. The [Co III] line at 11.888 μm
is particularly useful for evaluating the time evolution of the
photosphere and measuring the amount of 56Ni and thus the
mass of the ejecta. Late-time line profiles of SN 2014J are rather
symmetric and not shifted in the rest frame. We see argon emission,
which provides a unique probe of mixing in the transition layer between
incomplete burning and nuclear statistical equilibrium. We may see [Fe
III] and [Ni IV] emission, both of which are observed to be
substantially stronger than indicated by our models. If the latter
identification is correct, then we are likely observing stable Ni, which
might imply central mixing. In addition, electron capture, also required
for stable Ni, requires densities larger than ~1 × 109
g cm–3, which are expected to be present only in white
dwarfs close to the Chandrasekhar limit. This study demonstrates that
mid-IR studies of SNe Ia are feasible from the ground and provide unique
information, but it also indicates the need for better atomic data.