Type Ia Supernovae and Supersoft X-ray Sources

TL;DR

This paper compares the rates of Type Ia supernovae in different galaxy types, favoring the double-degenerate scenario and linking the number of supersoft X-ray sources to galaxy characteristics.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of SN Ia rates in spiral and elliptical galaxies, highlighting the role of white dwarf populations and galaxy type in supernova and X-ray source occurrence.

Findings

Double-degenerate scenario is favored for SN Ia production.

Elliptical galaxies have fewer nuclearly burning white dwarfs per unit mass.

Lower average mass of white dwarfs in ellipticals affects supersoft X-ray source numbers.

Abstract

The rates of SN Ia for double-degenerate and single-degenerate scenario are computed for the models of spiral and elliptical galaxies. The number of nuclearly burning white dwarfs (NBWD) is traced. The data favours double-degenerate scenario and suggests lower number of NBWD per unit mass in ellipticals and their lower average mass as one of the reasons for the difference in the number of supersoft X-ray sources observed in the galaxies of different types.