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Creators/Authors contains: "Yan, Shengyu"

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  1. Context. This is the second paper of a series aiming to determine the birth rates of supernovae (SNe) in the local Universe. Aims. We aimed to estimate the SN rates in the local Universe and fit the delay-time distribution of type Ia SNe (SNe Ia) to put constraints on their progenitor scenarios. Methods. We performed a Monte Carlo simulation to estimate volumetric rates using the nearby SN sample introduced in Paper I. The rate evolution of core-collapse (CC) SNe closely follows the evolution of the cosmic star formation history, while the rate evolution of SNe Ia involves the convolution of the cosmic star formation history and a two-component delay-time distribution including a power law and a Gaussian component. Results. The volumetric rates of type Ia, Ibc, and II SNe are derived as 0.325 ± 0.040−0.010+0.016, 0.160 ± 0.028−0.014+0.044, and 0.528 ± 0.051−0.013+0.162(in units of 10−4yr−1Mpc−3h703), respectively. The rate of CCSNe (0.688 ± 0.078−0.027+0.0206) is consistent with previous estimates, which trace the star formation history. Conversely, the newly derived local SN Ia rate is larger than existing results given at redshifts 0.01 < z < 0.1, favoring an increased rate from the Universe at z ∼ 0.1 to the local Universe at z < 0.01. A two-component model effectively reproduces the rate variation, with the power law component accounting for the rate evolution at larger redshifts and the Gaussian component with a delay time of 12.63 ± 0.38 Gyr accounting for the local rate evolution. This delayed component, with its exceptionally long delay time, suggests that the progenitors of these SNe Ia were formed around 1 Gyr after the birth of the Universe, which could only be explained by a double-degenerate progenitor scenario. Comparison with the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) sample of SNe Ia at z = 0.073 and the morphology of their host galaxies, reveals that the increased SN Ia rate at z < 0.01 is primarily due to the SNe Ia of massive E and S0 galaxies with old stellar populations. Based on the above results, we estimate the Galactic SN rate as 3.08 ± 1.29 per century. 
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    Free, publicly-accessible full text available June 1, 2026
  2. Context. This is the first paper in a series aiming to determine the fractions and birth rates of various types of supernovae (SNe) in the local Universe. Aims. In this paper, we aim to construct a complete sample of SNe in the nearby Universe and provide more precise measurements of subtype fractions. Methods. We carefully selected our SN sample at a distance of less than 40 Mpc mainly from wide-field surveys conducted over the years from 2016 to 2023. Results. The sample contains a total of 211 SNe, including 109 SNe II, 69 SNe Ia, and 33 SNe Ibc. With the aid of sufficient spectra, we obtained relatively accurate subtype classifications for all SNe in this sample. After corrections for the Malmquist bias, this volumelimited sample yielded fractions of SNe Ia, SNe Ibc, and SNe II of 30.4−11.5+3.7%, 16.3−7.4+3.7%, and 53.3−18.7+9.5%, respectively. In the SN Ia sample, the fraction of the 91T-like subtype becomes relatively low (~5.4%), while that of the 02cx-like subtype shows a moderate increase (~6.8%). In the SN Ibc sample, we find significant fractions of broadlined SNe Ic (~18.0%) and SNe Ibn (~8.8%). The fraction of the 87A-like subtype was determined to be ~2.3%, indicating rare explosions from blue supergiant stars. We find that SNe Ia show a double peak number distribution in S0- and Sc-type host galaxies, which may serve as straightforward evidence for the presence of “prompt” and “delayed” progenitor components that give rise to SN Ia explosions. Several subtypes of SNe such as 02cx-like SNe Ia, broadlined SNe Ic, and SNe IIn (and perhaps SNe Ibn) are found to occur preferentially in less massive spiral galaxies (i.e., with stellar mass <0.5×1010Mʘ), thus favoring their associations with young stellar progenitors. Moreover, the 02cx-like subtype shows a trend of exploding in the outer skirt of their hosts, which is suggestive of metal-poor progenitors. 
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    Free, publicly-accessible full text available June 1, 2026
  3. Abstract We present extensive optical observations of a nearby Type Ia supernova (SN Ia), SN 2021hpr, located in the spiral galaxy NGC 3147 at a distance of ∼45 Mpc. Our observations cover a phase within ∼1–2 days to ∼290 days after the explosion. SN 2021hpr is found to be a spectroscopically normal SN Ia, with an absoluteB-band peak magnitude of M max ( B ) 19.16 ± 0.14 mag and a postpeak decline rate of Δm15(B) =  1.0 ± 0.01 mag. Early time light curves showed a ∼7.0% excess emission compared to a homogeneously expanding fireball model, likely due to SN ejecta interacting with a companion or immediate circumstellar matter (CSM). The optical spectra of SN 2021hpr are overall similar to those of normal SNe Ia, but characterized by prominent detached high-velocity features (HVFs) of Siiiand Caiiin the early phase. After examining a small sample of well-observed normal SNe Ia, we find that the HVFs are likely common for the subgroup with early excess emission. The association of an early bump feature with the HVFs could be attributed to density or abundance enhancement at the outer layer of the exploding star, likely as a result of interactions with companion/CSM or experiencing more complete burning. Nevertheless, the redshifted Feiiand Niiilines in the nebular-phase spectra of SN 2021hpr, contrary to the blueshift trend seen in other SNe Ia showing early bump features, indicate its peculiarity in the explosion that remains to be understood. 
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    Free, publicly-accessible full text available May 8, 2026
  4. Abstract We present optical observations and analysis of the bright type Iax supernova SN 2020udy hosted by NGC 0812. The evolution of the light curve of SN 2020udy is similar to that of other bright type Iax SNe. Analytical modeling of the quasi-bolometric light curves of SN 2020udy suggests that 0.08 ± 0.01Mof56Ni would have been synthesized during the explosion. The spectral features of SN 2020udy are similar to those of the bright members of type Iax class, showing a weak Siiiline. The late-time spectral sequence is mostly dominated by iron group elements with broad emission lines. Abundance tomography modeling of the spectral time series of SN 2020udy usingTARDISindicates stratification in the outer ejecta; however, to confirm this, spectral modeling at a very early phase is required. After maximum light, uniform mixing of chemical elements is sufficient to explain the spectral evolution. Unlike in the case of normal type Ia SNe, the photospheric approximation remains robust until +100 days, requiring an additional continuum source. Overall, the observational features of SN 2020udy are consistent with the deflagration of a carbon–oxygen white dwarf. 
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  5. null (Ed.)