Using Spatial Distributions to Constrain Progenitors of Supernovae and Gamma Ray Bursts

TL;DR

This paper develops models of galaxy types to analyze the spatial distribution of supernovae and gamma-ray bursts, constraining their progenitor star masses and explosion timescales.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive theoretical framework linking galaxy models to progenitor properties, including a new method for estimating SNe Ia timescales.

Findings

SNe Ic progenitors likely have masses above 25 solar masses.

Long-duration gamma-ray burst progenitors are probably above 43 solar masses.

A new method is proposed to better constrain SNe Ia progenitor timescales.

Abstract

We carry out a comprehensive theoretical examination of the relationship between the spatial distribution of optical transients and the properties of their progenitor stars. By constructing analytic models of star-forming galaxies and the evolution of stellar populations within them, we are able to place constraints on candidate progenitors for core-collapse supernovae (SNe), long-duration gamma ray bursts, and supernovae Ia. In particular we first construct models of spiral galaxies that reproduce observations of core-collapse SNe, and we use these models to constrain the minimum mass for SNe Ic progenitors to approximately 25 solar masses. Secondly, we lay out the parameters of a dwarf irregular galaxy model, which we use to show that the progenitors of long-duration gamma-ray bursts are likely to have masses above approximately 43 solar masses. Finally, we introduce a new method for constraining the time scale associated with SNe Ia and apply it to our spiral galaxy models to show how observations can better be analyzed to discriminate between the leading progenitor models for these objects.