Why Supersoft X-ray Fluxes are So Weak in Early-type Galaxies? -- A Clue to Type Ia SN Progenitors --

TL;DR

This paper explains the weak supersoft X-ray fluxes in early-type galaxies by showing that single degenerate supernova progenitors are only briefly supersoft X-ray sources and emit weak fluxes during this phase, aligning with observations.

Contribution

It provides a detailed explanation for the weak SSX fluxes in early-type galaxies, supporting the single degenerate scenario for Type Ia supernova progenitors.

Findings

Supersoft X-ray sources are only briefly active before SN Ia explosions.

Symbiotic stars emit very weak SSX fluxes even when massive.

Weak SSX fluxes are due to the short duration and low emission during the supersoft phase.

Abstract

Supersoft X-ray (SSX) fluxes in early type galaxies provide an excellent test for type Ia supernova (SN Ia) progenitors: Double degenerate (DD) scenario is believed to produce no SSXs except just before SN Ia explosion, while single degenerate (SD) scenario produces in some phase of the symbiotic channel. Recent observations of SSX flux of early type galaxies show a remarkable agreement with theoretical prediction of SD scenario, which is thus turn to be a strong support for SD scenario, despite the original observation aimed at the opposite conclusion. Here I explain why X-ray fluxes are so weak in early type of galaxies: (1) Candidate binaries in SD scenario become supersoft X-ray source only in a short time on its way to an SN Ia explosion, because it spend a large part of lifetime as wind phase, (2) During the supersoft X-ray phase, symbiotic stars emit very weak SSX fluxes even if the WD is very massive. It should be emphasized that SSX symbiotic stars are very rare and we need more observation to understand their nature.