The circumstellar matter of supernova 2014J and the core-degenerate scenario

TL;DR

This paper argues that the circumstellar matter around supernova 2014J is best explained by the core-degenerate scenario involving a recent common envelope phase, supported by analysis of absorption lines and mass loss episodes.

Contribution

It provides evidence favoring the core-degenerate scenario for SN 2014J by analyzing circumstellar matter and absorption line variability, proposing a recent common envelope phase as the origin.

Findings

CSM mass and momentum are too large for other scenarios.

Absorption line variability explained by ionization and dust processes.

A recent common envelope phase likely occurred about 15,000 years ago.

Abstract

I show that the circumstellar matter (CSM) of the type Ia supernova 2014J is too massive and its momentum too large to be accounted for by any but the core-degenerate (CD) scenario for type Ia supernovae. Assuming the absorbing gas is of CSM origin, the several shells responsible of the absorption potassium lines are accounted for by a mass loss episode from a massive asymptotic giant branch star during a common envelope phase with a white dwarf companion. The time-varying potassium lines can be accounted for by ionization of neutral potassium and the Na-from-dust absorption (NaDA) model. Before explosion some of the potassium resides in the gas phase and some in dust. Weakening in absorption strength is caused by potassium-ionizing radiation of the supernova, while release of atomic potassium from dust increases the absorption. I conclude that if the absorbing gas originated from the progenitor of SN 2014J, then a common envelope phase took place about 15,000 years ago, leading to the merging of the core with the white dwarf companion, i.e., the core-degenerate scenario. Else, the absorbing material is of interstellar medium origin.