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Title: No plateau observed in late-time near-infrared observations of the underluminous Type Ia supernova 2021qvv
ABSTRACT Near-infrared (NIR) observations of normal Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) obtained between 150 and 500 d past maximum light reveal the existence of an extended plateau. Here, we present observations of the underluminous, 1991bg-like SN 2021qvv. Early, ground-based optical and NIR observations show that SN 2021qvv is similar to SN 2006mr, making it one of the dimmest, fastest evolving 1991bg-like SNe to date. Late-time (170–250 d) Hubble Space Telescope observations of SN 2021qvv reveal no sign of a plateau. An extrapolation of these observations backwards to earlier-phase NIR observations of SN 2006mr suggests the complete absence of an NIR plateau, at least out to 250 d. This absence may be due to a higher ionization state of the ejecta, as predicted by certain sub-Chandrasekhar-mass detonation models, or to the lower temperatures of the ejecta of 1991bg-like SNe, relative to normal SNe Ia, which might preclude their becoming fluorescent and shifting ultraviolet light into the NIR. This suggestion can be tested by acquiring NIR imaging of a sample of 1991bg-like SNe that covers the entire range from slowly evolving to fast-evolving events (0.2 ≲ sBV ≲ 0.6). A detection of the NIR plateau in slower evolving, hotter 1991bg-like SNe would provide further evidence that these SNe exist along a continuum with normal SNe Ia. Theoretical progenitor and explosion scenarios would then have to match the observed properties of both SN Ia subtypes.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1911225 1911151
PAR ID:
10542387
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; more » ; ; ; ; ; ; « less
Publisher / Repository:
MNRAS
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume:
526
Issue:
2
ISSN:
0035-8711
Page Range / eLocation ID:
2977 to 2990
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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