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SN2020zbf: A fast-rising hydrogen-poor superluminous supernova with strong carbon lines
Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Astronomy. Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, The Oskar Klein Centre for Cosmo Particle Physics (OKC).ORCID iD: 0009-0000-9383-2305
Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Astronomy. Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, The Oskar Klein Centre for Cosmo Particle Physics (OKC).ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9454-4639
Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, The Oskar Klein Centre for Cosmo Particle Physics (OKC). Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6797-1889
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Number of Authors: 272024 (English)In: Astronomy and Astrophysics, ISSN 0004-6361, E-ISSN 1432-0746, Vol. 685, article id A20Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

SN 2020zbf is a hydrogen-poor superluminous supernova (SLSN) at z = 0.1947 that shows conspicuous C II features at early times, in contrast to the majority of H-poor SLSNe. Its peak magnitude is Mg = −21.2 mag and its rise time (≲26.4 days from first light) places SN 2020zbf among the fastest rising type I SLSNe. We used spectra taken from ultraviolet (UV) to near-infrared wavelengths to identify spectral features. We paid particular attention to the C II lines as they present distinctive characteristics when compared to other events. We also analyzed UV and optical photometric data and modeled the light curves considering three different powering mechanisms: radioactive decay of 56Ni, magnetar spin-down, and circumstellar medium (CSM) interaction. The spectra of SN 2020zbf match the model spectra of a C-rich low-mass magnetar-powered supernova model well. This is consistent with our light curve modeling, which supports a magnetar-powered event with an ejecta mass Mej = 1.5 M. However, we cannot discard the CSM-interaction model as it may also reproduce the observed features. The interaction with H-poor, carbon-oxygen CSM near peak light could explain the presence of C II emission lines. A short plateau in the light curve around 35–45 days after peak, in combination with the presence of an emission line at 6580 Å, can also be interpreted as being due to a late interaction with an extended H-rich CSM. Both the magnetar and CSM-interaction models of SN 2020zbf indicate that the progenitor mass at the time of explosion is between 2 and 5 M. Modeling the spectral energy distribution of the host galaxy reveals a host mass of 108.7 M, a star formation rate of 0.24−0.12+0.41 M yr−1, and a metallicity of ∼0.4 Z.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2024. Vol. 685, article id A20
Keywords [en]
supernovae: general, supernovae: individual: SN 2020zbf
National Category
Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:su:diva-231531DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202348166ISI: 001231008100002Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85192368350OAI: oai:DiVA.org:su-231531DiVA, id: diva2:1885424
Available from: 2024-07-23 Created: 2024-07-23 Last updated: 2025-12-01Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Probing Superluminous Supernovae with X-shooter Spectroscopy: Identifying pre-explosion eruptions and investigating spectral diversity
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Probing Superluminous Supernovae with X-shooter Spectroscopy: Identifying pre-explosion eruptions and investigating spectral diversity
2026 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Wide-field time-domain surveys have become essential tools for discovering and characterizing astrophysical transients, particularly supernovae (SNe). These explosive events mark the terminal stages of stellar evolution. Stars spend the majority of their lives fusing hydrogen in their cores, but in the most massive stars, those exceeding roughly 8-10 solar masses, the nuclear burning progresses through advanced stages until an iron core is formed. Unable to support itself against gravity, this core implodes, triggering a core-collapse supernova (CCSN), violently expelling the outer layers of the star.

Among CCSNe, superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) shine as some of the most extraordinary explosions in the Universe, outshining typical events by up to two orders of magnitude. Their extreme luminosities, extended light curves, and unusual spectra suggest massive progenitors and possibly exotic powering mechanisms. Yet, even within this rare class, significant diversity exists: some SLSNe exhibit spectral features that hint at unusual chemical compositions, while others show clear signs of eruptive mass loss at the onset of explosion. These events raise important questions about the late stages of stellar evolution, the variety of SLSN progenitors, and the physical mechanisms by which massive stars shed their outer layers in their final moments.

This thesis addresses these questions in two main components. The first part (Paper I) explores the spectral diversity of SLSNe, revealing how subtle differences in their observed features reflect variations in progenitor systems and/or powering mechanisms. The second part (Paper II and Paper III) probes pre-explosion mass loss, uncovering how some progenitors undergo eruptions shortly before core collapse. Using a high-quality spectroscopic sample and advanced modeling techniques, this work demonstrates that the observed diversity in SLSNe is a direct window into the lives of massive stars, offering new insights into the final moments of the stellar evolution.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Stockholm: Department of Astronomy, Stockholm University, 2026. p. 93
Keywords
massive stars, mass loss, supernovae, superluminous supernovae, spectroscopy, photometry
National Category
Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology
Research subject
Astronomy
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:su:diva-250055 (URN)978-91-8107-464-2 (ISBN)978-91-8107-465-9 (ISBN)
Public defence
2026-02-02, FB52 AlbaNova universitetscentrum, Roslagstullsbacken 21 and online via Zoom, public link is available at the department website, Stockholm, 10:00 (English)
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Supervisors
Available from: 2026-01-08 Created: 2025-12-01 Last updated: 2025-12-12Bibliographically approved

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Gkini, AnamariaLunnan, RagnhildSchulze, SteveBrennan, Seán J.Sollerman, JesperPessi, Priscila JaelOmand, Conor M. B.

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Gkini, AnamariaLunnan, RagnhildSchulze, SteveBrennan, Seán J.Sollerman, JesperPessi, Priscila JaelOmand, Conor M. B.Müller-Bravo, T. E.
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