Showing papers by "Nino Panagia published in 1999"

Measurements of Omega and Lambda from 42 High-Redshift Supernovae

Abstract: We report measurements of the mass density, Omega_M, and cosmological-constant energy density, Omega_Lambda, of the universe based on the analysis of 42 Type Ia supernovae discovered by the Supernova Cosmology Project. The magnitude-redshift data for these SNe, at redshifts between 0.18 and 0.83, are fit jointly with a set of SNe from the Calan/Tololo Supernova Survey, at redshifts below 0.1, to yield values for the cosmological parameters. All SN peak magnitudes are standardized using a SN Ia lightcurve width-luminosity relation. The measurement yields a joint probability distribution of the cosmological parameters that is approximated by the relation 0.8 Omega_M - 0.6 Omega_Lambda ~= -0.2 +/- 0.1 in the region of interest (Omega_M <~ 1.5). For a flat (Omega_M + Omega_Lambda = 1) cosmology we find Omega_M = 0.28{+0.09,-0.08} (1 sigma statistical) {+0.05,-0.04} (identified systematics). The data are strongly inconsistent with a Lambda = 0 flat cosmology, the simplest inflationary universe model. An open, Lambda = 0 cosmology also does not fit the data well: the data indicate that the cosmological constant is non-zero and positive, with a confidence of P(Lambda > 0) = 99%, including the identified systematic uncertainties. The best-fit age of the universe relative to the Hubble time is t_0 = 14.9{+1.4,-1.1} (0.63/h) Gyr for a flat cosmology. The size of our sample allows us to perform a variety of statistical tests to check for possible systematic errors and biases. We find no significant differences in either the host reddening distribution or Malmquist bias between the low-redshift Calan/Tololo sample and our high-redshift sample. The conclusions are robust whether or not a width-luminosity relation is used to standardize the SN peak magnitudes.

Direct Analysis of Spectra of the Type Ic Supernova SN 1994I

Abstract: Synthetic spectra generated with the parameterized supernova synthetic-spectrum code SYNOW are compared to observed photospheric-phase spectra of the Type Ic supernova SN 1994I. The observed optical spectra can be well matched by synthetic spectra that are based on the assumption of spherical symmetry. We consider the identification of the infrared absorption feature observed near 10250 ?, which previously has been attributed to He I ?10830 and regarded as strong evidence that SN 1994I ejected some helium. We have difficulty accounting for the infrared absorption with He I alone. It could be a blend of He I and C I lines. Alternatively, we find that it can be fitted by Si I lines without compromising the fit in the optical region. In synthetic spectra that match the observed spectra, from 4 days before to 26 days after the time of maximum brightness, the adopted velocity at the photosphere decreases from 17,500 to 7000 km s-1. Simple estimates of the kinetic energy carried by the ejected mass give values that are near the canonical supernova energy of 1051 ergs. The velocities and kinetic energies that we find for SN 1994I in this way are much lower than those that we find elsewhere for the peculiar Type Ic SNe 1997ef and 1998bw, which therefore appear to have been hyperenergetic.

Hubble Space Telescope Measurements of the Expansion of NGC 6543: Parallax Distance and Nebular Evolution*

Abstract: The optical expansion parallax of NGC 6543 has been detected and measured using two epochs of Hubble Space Telescope images separated by a time baseline of only 3 years. We have utilized three separate methods of deriving the angular expansion of bright fiducials, with excellent agreement in the results. We combine our angular expansion estimates with spectroscopically obtained expansion velocities to derive a distance to NGC 6543 of 1001 ± 269 pc. The deduced kinematic age of the inner bright core of the nebula is 1039 ± 259 yr; however, the kinematic age of the polar caps that surround the core is larger—perhaps the result of deceleration or earlier mass ejection. The morphology and expansion patterns of NGC 6543 provide insight into a complex history of axisymmetric, interacting stellar mass ejections.

HST Measurements of the Expansion of NGC 6543: Parallax Distance and Nebular Evolution

Abstract: The optical expansion parallax of NGC 6543 has been detected and measured using two epochs of HST images separated by a time baseline of only three years. We have utilized three separate methods of deriving the angular expansion of bright fiducials, the results of which are in excellent agreement. We combine our angular expansion estimates with spectroscopically obtained expansion velocities to derive a distance to NGC 6543 of 1001$\pm$269 pc. The deduced kinematic age of the inner bright core of the nebula is 1039$\pm$259 years; however, the kinematic age of the polar caps that surround the core is larger - perhaps the result of deceleration or earlier mass ejection. The morphology and expansion patterns of NGC 6543 provide insight into a complex history of axisymmetric, interacting stellar mass ejections.

HST observations of the LMC field around SN87A: distance determinations with Red Clump and Tip of the Red Giant Branch stars

Abstract: We have used HST-WFPC2 multiband observations of a field around SN 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud to measure its distance from the Sun. The observations allowed us to carefully determine the interstellar extinction along the line of sight to a large number of stars and to measure the LMC distance by using two stellar distance indicators: the Red Clump and the Tip of the Red Giant Branch. From an application of the Red Clump method we obtain a distance modulus (m-M)o,rc(LMC)=18.59+-0.04+-0.08 mag (statistical plus systematic error), in good agreement with the distance derived by using the Tip of the Red Giant Branch stars, namely (m-M)o,trgb(LMC)=18.69+-0.25+-0.06 mag (statistical plus systematic error). Both values agree well with the distance to the SN 1987A as determined from a study of its inner ring fluorescent echo ((m-M)(SN87A)=18.55+-0.05 mag, Panagia 1998), thus excluding distance moduli lower than 18.43 to a 99.7% significance level. Differences with respect to previous results obtained using the same distance indicators are discussed.

Evolution of the Light Echo of SN?1991T

Abstract: Schmidt et al. presented strong evidence (photometry and spectroscopy) that the late time optical emission of SN 1991T in the Virgo spiral NGC 4527 is caused by a light echo. Here, we present photometry with the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 and high-resolution imaging polarimetry and photometry with the Faint Object Camera on board the Hubble Space Telescope, which demonstrates that the feature is indeed a light echo of the original supernova. We show that the emission is spatially resolved, complex, and both growing in size and changing in morphology. The echo is slowly fading. Our primary interest is to use the echo for estimating the distance to the host galaxy geometrically (see 1994 work by Sparks). Given that the elapsed time since the supernova exploded is small and that the galaxy is relatively distant, the expected region of maximally polarized emission cannot be fully resolved as yet. However, we do find polarized emission at the center of the echo, and simple models may be used to yield a distance estimate. The models favor smaller distances, with ≈15 Mpc being the upper allowable distance, subject to caveats described in the text. The echo is consistent with being caused by a dust cloud of uniform density n ~ 0.9 cm-3 and extending to ≈50 pc in front of the supernova. It is encouraging that even in a case very far from ideal, we can use this type of observation to derive a distance.

Radio Observations of SN 1980K: Evidence for Rapid Presupernova Evolution

Abstract: New observations of SN 1980K made with the VLA at 20 and 6 cm from 1994 April through 1996 October show that the supernova (SN) has undergone a significant change in its radio emission evolution, dropping by a factor of ~2 below the flux density S \propto t^{-0.73} power-law decline with time t observed earlier. However, although S at all observed frequencies has decreased significantly, its current spectral index of \alpha= -0.42\pm0.15 (S \propto u^{+\alpha}) is consistent with the previous spectral index of \alpha=-0.60_{-0.07}^{+0.04}. It is suggested that this decrease in emission may be due to the SN shock entering a new region of the circumstellar material which has a lower density than that expected for a constant speed (w), constant mass-loss rate (Mdot) wind from the progenitor. If such an interpretation is correct, the difference in wind and shock speeds appears to indicate a significant evolution in the mass-loss history of the SN progenitor ~10^4 years before explosion, with a change in circumstellar density (\propto Mdot/w) occurring over a time span of \lesssim 4 kyr. Such features could be explained in terms of a fast ``blue-loop'' evolutionary phase of a relatively massive pre-SN progenitor star. If so, we may, for the first time, provide a stringent constraint on the mass of the SN progenitor based solely on the SN's radio emission.

Cepheid Calibration of the Peak Brightness of SNe Ia.

Abstract: Repeated imaging observations have been made of NGC 3627 with the Hubble Space Telescope in 1997/98, over an interval of 58 days. Images were obtained on 12 epochs in the F555W band and on five epochs in the F8141,V band. The galaxy hosted the prototypical, "Branch normal", type la supernova SN 1989B. A total of 83 variables have been found, of which 68 are definite Cepheid variables with periods ranging from 75 days to 3.85 days. The de-reddened distance modulus is determined to be (m - M)(sub 0) = 30.22 +/- 0.12 (internal uncertainty) using a subset of the Cepheid data whose reddening and error parameters are secure. The photometric data of Wells et al. (1994), combined with the Cepheid data for NGC 3627 give MB(max) = -19.36 +/- 0.18 and M(sub V)(max) = -19.34 +/- 0.16 for SN 1989B. Combined with the previous six calibrations in this program, plus two additional calibrations determined by others gives the mean absolute magnitudes at maximum of (M(sub B)) = -19.48 +/- 0.07 for "Brunch normal" SNe Ia at this interim stage in the calibration program. Using the argument by Wells et al. (1994) that SN 1989B here is virtually identical in decay rate and colors at maximum with SN 198ON in NGC 1316 in the Fornax cluster, and that such identity means nearly identical absolute magnitude, it follows that the difference in the distance modulus of NGC 3627 and NGC 1316 is 1.62 +/- 0.03 mag. Thus the NGC 3627 modulus implies that (m - M)(sub 0) = 31.84 for NGC 1316. The second parameter correlations of M(max) of blue SNe la with decay rate, color at maximum, and Hubble type are re-investigated. The dependence of (M(max)) on decay rate is non-linear, showing a minimum for decay rates between 1.0 less than ADelta(sub m)15 less than 1.6. Magnitudes corrected for decay rate show no dependence on Hubble type, but a dependence on color remains. Correcting both the fiducial sample of 34 SNe la with decay-rate data and the current eight calibrating SNe la for the correlation with decay rate as well as color gives H(sub 0) = 60 +/- 2 (internal) km/s Mpc, in both B and V. The same value to within 4% is obtained if only the SNe la in spirals (without second parameter corrections) are considered. The correlation of SNe la color at maximum with M(max) cannot be due to internal absorption because the slope coefficients in B, V, and I with the change in magnitude are far from or even opposite to the canonical reddening values. The color effect must be intrinsic to the supernova physics. "Absorption" corrections of distant blue SNe la will lead to incorrect values of H(sub 0). The Cepheid distances used in this series are insensitive to metallicity differences. The zeropoint of the P-L relation is based on an assumed LMC modulus of (m - M)(sub 0) = 18.50. As this may have to be increased by 0(sup m).06 to 0(sup m).08, all distances in this paper will follow and Ho will decrease by 3 - 4%.

Detection of Preshock Dense Circumstellar Material of SN 1978K

Abstract: The supernova SN 1978K has been noted for its lack of emission lines broader than a few thousand kilometers per second since its discovery in 1990. Modeling of the radio spectrum of the peculiar SN 1978K indicates the existence of H II absorption along the line of sight. To determine the nature of this absorbing region, we have obtained a high-dispersion spectrum of SN 1978K at the wavelength range 6530-6610 A. The spectrum shows not only the moderately broad Hα emission of the supernova ejecta but also narrow nebular Hα and [N II] emission. The high [N II] λ6583/Hα ratio, 0.8-1.3, suggests that this radio-absorbing region is a stellar ejecta nebula. The expansion velocity and emission measure of the nebula are consistent with those seen in ejecta nebulae of luminous blue variables. Previous low-dispersion spectra have detected a strong [N II] λ5755 line, indicating an electron density of (3–12) × 10^5 cm^(-3). We argue that this stellar ejecta nebula is probably part of the preshock dense circumstellar envelope of SN 1978K. We further suggest that SN 1997ab may represent a young version of SN 1978K.

The Metallicity Evolution of Damped Lyman-alpha Systems

Abstract: We have collected data for 69 Damped Lyman-alpha (DLA) systems, to investigate the chemical evolution of galaxies in the redshift interval 0.0 < z < 4.4. In doing that, we have adopted the most general approach used so far to correct for dust depletion. The best solution, obtained through chi^2 minimization, gives as output parameters the global DLA metallicity and the dust-to-metals ratio. Clear evolution of the metallicity vs. redshift is found (99.99% significance level), with average values going from ~1/30 solar at z~4.1 to ~3/5 solar at z~0.5. We also find that the majority of DLAs (~60%) shows dust depletion patterns which most closely resemble that of the warm halo clouds in the Milky Way, and have dust-to-metals ratios very close to warm halo clouds.

Distance Scale from Supernovae

Abstract: Supernovae have been playing an ever increasing role in the determination of the key cosmological parameters They are extremely luminous point sources whose brightness at maximum rivals that of their host galaxies and thus can be observed at cosmologically significant distances That SNe Ia could be used as standard candles has been proposed for many years However, most of the progress in this field has occured over the last decade Extensive ground-based surveys have identified a large number of new supernovae and characterized their global properties in a statistically meaningful way At the same time, using the Hubble Space Telescope, a team led by Sandage has carried out an extensive program to determine the absolute brightness of a selected sample of supernovae This has allowed the Hubble diagram for SNe Ia to be placed on an absolute scale and the Hubble constant itself to be determined with a precision of 10% or better We review the current work in this field and discuss the main effects that influence the determination of the absolute brightness at maximum for SNe Ia We show that the best values are M B = −1950 ± 006 and M V = −1949 ± 006 The derived value for the Hubble constant is H 0 = 59 ± 6 km s −1 Mpc −1 We also review the exciting new results for the values of the cosmological constants derived using high-redshift SNe Ia Preliminary results suggest a non-empty inflationary Universe with parameters lying along the line determined by 134Ω M − ΩΛ = −045

Distance to SN 1987A and the LMC

Abstract: Using the new reductions of the IUE light curves by Sonneborn et al. (1997) and an extensive set of HST images of SN 1987A we have repeated and improved Panagia et al. (1991) analysis to obtain a better determination of the distance to the supernova. In this way we have derived an absolute size of the ring R abs = (6.23 ± 0.08) x 10 17 cm and an angular size R ″ = 808 ± 17 mas, which give a distance to the supernova d ( SN1987A ) = 51.4 ± 1.2 kpc and a distance modulus m – M ( SN 1987 A ) = 18.55 ± 0.05. Allowing for a displacement of SN 1987A position relative to the LMC center, the distance to the barycenter of the Large Magellanic Cloud is also estimated to be d ( LMC ) = 52.0±1.3 kpc, which corresponds to a distance modulus of m – M ( LMC ) = 18.58±0.05.