Discovery, Progenitor & Early Evolution of a Stripped Envelope Supernova iPTF13bvn

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery and analysis of supernova iPTF13bvn, providing the first potential direct detection of a Type Ib supernova progenitor, and characterizing its early evolution, explosion date, and progenitor properties.

Contribution

It presents the first possible direct detection of a Type Ib supernova progenitor and characterizes its early light curve, explosion timing, and progenitor properties through multi-wavelength observations.

Findings

Progenitor candidate detected in pre-explosion images.

Explosion date estimated to be 1.1 days before first detection.

Progenitor likely a Wolf Rayet star with a small radius.

Abstract

The intermediate Palomar Transient Factory reports our discovery of a young supernova, iPTF13bvn, in the nearby galaxy, NGC5806 (22.5Mpc). Our spectral sequence in the optical and infrared suggests a likely Type Ib classification. We identify a single, blue progenitor candidate in deep pre-explosion imaging within a 2{\sigma} error circle of 80 mas (8.7 pc). The candidate has a MB luminosity of -5.2 +/- 0.4 mag and a B-I color of 0.1+/-0.3 mag. If confirmed by future observations, this would be the first direct detection for a progenitor of a Type Ib. Fitting a power law to the early light curve, we find an extrapolated explosion date around 1.1 days before our first detection. We see no evidence of shock cooling. The pre-explosion detection limits constrain the radius of the progenitor to be smaller than a few solar radii. iPTF13bvn is also detected in cm and mm-wavelengths. Fitting a synchrotron self-absorption model to our radio data, we find a mass loading parameter of 1.3*10^12 g/cm. Assuming a wind velocity of 10^3km/s, we derive a progenitor mass loss rate of 3*10^-5Msun/yr. Our observations, taken as a whole, are consistent with a Wolf Rayet progenitor of the supernova iPTF13bvn.