Constraining the progenitor of the type Ia SN 2014J with the EVN and eMERLIN

M. A. Pérez-Torres, P. Lundqvist, R. J. Beswick, C. I. Björnsson, T. W. B. Muxlow, Z. Paragi, S. Ryder, A. Alberdi, C. Fransson, J. M. Marcaide, I. Martí-Vidal, E. Ros, M. K. Argo, J. C. Guirado

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Abstract

We report the deepest radio interferometric observations of the closest Type Ia supernova in decades, SN 2014J, which exploded in the nearby galaxy M 82. These observations represent, together with radio observations of SNe 2011fe, the most sensitive radio studies of a Type Ia SN ever. We constrain the mass-loss rate from the progenitor system of SN 2014J to M ≲ 7.0 × 10-10 M⊙yr-1 (for a wind speed of 100 km s-1). Most single-degenerate scenarios, i.e., the wide family of progenitor systems where a red giant, main-sequence, or sub-giant star donates mass to a exploding white dwarf, are ruled out by our observations. On the contrary, our stringent upper limits to the radio emission from SN 2014 favor a double-degenerate scenario-involving two WD stars-for the progenitor system of SN 2014J, as such systems have less circumstellar gas than our upper limits. Thus, the evidence from SNe 2011fe and 2014J points in the direction of a double-degenerate scenario for both. Looking into the future, we note that the huge improvement in sensitivity of the SKA with respect to its predecessors will allow us to determine which progenitor scenario (single-degenerate vs. double-degenerate) applies to a large sample of nearby Type Ia SNe, thus unambiguously solving this issue.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEVN 2014
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the 12th European VLBI Network Symposium and Users Meeting
EditorsAndrea Tarchi, Marcello Giroletti, Luigina Feretti
Place of PublicationCagliari, Italy
PublisherScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA)
Number of pages6
Publication statusPublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes
Event12th European VLBI Network Symposium and Users Meeting, EVN 2014 - Cagliari, Italy
Duration: 7 Oct 201410 Oct 2014

Publication series

NameProceedings of Science
ISSN (Print)1824-8039

Conference

Conference12th European VLBI Network Symposium and Users Meeting, EVN 2014
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityCagliari
Period7/10/1410/10/14

Bibliographical note

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