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Abstract We present optical photometry and spectroscopy of the Type IIn supernova (SN) 2021qqp. Its unusual light curve is marked by a long precursor for ≈300 days, a rapid increase in brightness for ≈60 days, and then a sharp increase of ≈1.6 mag in only a few days to a first peak ofMr≈ −19.5 mag. The light curve then declines rapidly until it rebrightens to a second distinct peak ofMr≈ −17.3 mag centered at ≈335 days after the first peak. The spectra are dominated by Balmer lines with a complex morphology, including a narrow component with a width of ≈1300 km s−1(first peak) and ≈2500 km s−1(second peak) that we associate with the circumstellar medium (CSM) and a P Cygni component with an absorption velocity of ≈8500 km s−1(first peak) and ≈5600 km s−1(second peak) that we associate with the SN–CSM interaction shell. Using the luminosity and velocity evolution, we construct a flexible analytical model, finding two significant mass-loss episodes with peak mass loss rates of ≈10 and ≈5M⊙yr−1about 0.8 and 2 yr before explosion, respectively, with a total CSM mass of ≈2–4M⊙. We show that the most recent mass-loss episode could explain the precursor for the year preceding the explosion. The SN ejecta mass is constrained to be ≈5–30M⊙for an explosion energy of ≈(3–10) × 1051erg. We discuss eruptive massive stars (luminous blue variable, pulsational pair instability) and an extreme stellar merger with a compact object as possible progenitor channels.
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On Rates of Isopycnal Dispersion at the Submesoscale
Abstract Past studies of dispersion with float‐pairs have indicated that they may remain close together for much longer when they equilibrate on the same isopycnal, presumably due to the reduced influence of vertical shear. To examine this question more closely, we use a set of 13 and 15 float pair combinations that equilibrated within 0.1 °C (∼σθ = 0.01 kg m−3) of each other on two density surfaces in the main thermocline in a Lagrangian dispersion study. Their average rate of separation after launch was 0.0021 ± 0.0014 ms−1(∼5.5 km after 30 days). Relative dispersion is accurately expressed by <D2> = 4•106exp (t/10.8) m2from start to about 30 days. Relative diffusivity (K) versus separation dropped well below the classical 4/3rds power law settling out at about 2–3 m2s−1for separations less than ∼6 km, far lower than results from other float studies, but in accord with dye dispersion estimates.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1736985
- PAR ID:
- 10443843
- Publisher / Repository:
- DOI PREFIX: 10.1029
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Geophysical Research Letters
- Volume:
- 48
- Issue:
- 12
- ISSN:
- 0094-8276
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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