SN 2009ip: Constraining the latest explosion properties by its late-phase light curve

TL;DR

This study analyzes the late-phase light curve of SN 2009ip's 2012b event to estimate explosion and circumstellar properties, revealing it was not a typical supernova.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed constraints on explosion energy, ejected mass, and circumstellar structure for SN 2009ip's 2012b event based on late-phase light curve data.

Findings

Explosion energy estimated at 0.01 Msun and 2e49 erg.

Circumstellar medium consists of an inner shell and outer wind.

The event was not caused by a regular supernova.

Abstract

We constrain the explosion and circumstellar properties at the 2012b event of SN 2009ip based on its late-phase bolometric light curve recently reported. The explosion energy and ejected mass at the 2012b event are estimated as 0.01 Msun and 2e49 erg, respectively. The circumstellar medium is assumed to have two components: an inner shell and an outer wind. The inner shell which is likely created at the 2012a event has 0.2 Msun. The outer wind is created by the wind mass loss before the 2012a mass ejection, and the progenitor is estimated to have had the mass-loss rate about 0.1 Msun/yr with the wind velocity 550 km/s before the 2012a event. The estimated explosion energy and ejected mass indicate that the 2012b event is not caused by a regular supernova.