Revealing the True Nature of Hen 2-428

TL;DR

This study thoroughly analyzes the binary system Hen 2-428 using advanced spectral modeling, light curve fitting, and stellar evolution calculations, concluding it is unlikely to produce a type Ia supernova due to insufficient mass.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive multi-method analysis of Hen 2-428, clarifying its mass and supernova progenitor status, which was previously controversial.

Findings

System mass does not exceed Chandrasekhar limit

Individual star masses are too small for SN Ia explosion

System unlikely to produce a supernova in a merger

Abstract

The nucleus of Hen 2-428 is a short orbital period (4.2 h) spectroscopic binary, whose status as potential supernovae type Ia progenitor has raised some controversy in the literature. We present preliminary results of a thorough analysis of this interesting system, which combines quantitative non-local thermodynamic equilibrium spectral modelling (non-LTE), radial velocity analysis,multi-band light curve fitting, and state-of-the art stellar evolutionary calculations. Importantly, we find that the dynamical system mass that is derived by using all available He II lines does not exceed the Chandrasekhar mass limit. Furthermore, the individual masses of the two central stars are too small to lead to an SN Ia in case of a dynamical explosion during the merger process.