Supernova Interaction with a Dense Detached Shell in SN 2001em
Poonam Chandra, Roger A. Chevalier, Nikolai Chugai, Danny, Milisavljevic, Claes Fransson

TL;DR
This comprehensive 19-year study of supernova SN 2001em reveals its transformation from a Type Ib supernova to an interacting supernova with a dense circumstellar shell, highlighting the role of binary evolution in its progenitor's mass loss.
Contribution
First detailed long-term multi-wavelength analysis of SN 2001em showing its metamorphosis and interaction with a dense shell, suggesting binary progenitor evolution.
Findings
Shock exited the dense shell around 1750 days.
X-ray emission likely from forward shock.
Late-time radio spectral inversion indicates possible binary progenitor.
Abstract
We carry out a comprehensive analysis of supernova \snem\ covering a period of 19 years since discovery. SN 2001em is the oldest supernova known to have undergone a metamorphosis from a stripped envelope to an interacting supernova. An early spectrum indicates it exploded as a Type Ib supernova. Later, the ejecta caught up with a dense circumstellar H-shell, ejected a few thousand years before the explosion, triggering interaction between the supernova ejecta and the dense shell, producing radio, X-ray and H emission. We use archival data with the Very Large Array in radio bands and with Chandra, XMM-NEWTON and SWIFT-XRT in X-ray bands, along with published H measurements. We combine these data with our low radio frequency observations with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope at two epochs covering three frequencies. While the observations missed the phase when the shock…
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