A transient radio source consistent with a merger-triggered core collapse supernova

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of a luminous radio transient linked to a supernova likely triggered by a star merger, featuring evidence of a relativistic jet and dense shell interaction, supporting merger-driven core-collapse supernova models.

Contribution

It provides observational evidence for a merger-triggered supernova with early relativistic jet activity and dense circumstellar interaction, a novel scenario in supernova physics.

Findings

Detection of a luminous radio transient associated with a supernova

Evidence of a relativistic jet launched during the explosion

Interaction with dense circumstellar material consistent with binary merger models

Abstract

A core-collapse supernova occurs when exothermic fusion ceases in the core of a massive star, typically due to exhaustion of nuclear fuel. Theory predicts that fusion could be interrupted earlier, by merging of the star with a compact binary companion. We report a luminous radio transient, VT J121001+495647, found in the Very Large Array Sky Survey. The radio emission is consistent with supernova ejecta colliding with a dense shell of material, potentially ejected by binary interaction in the centuries prior to explosion. We associate the supernova with an archival X-ray transient, which implies a relativistic jet was launched during the explosion. The combination of an early relativistic jet and late-time dense interaction is consistent with expectations for a merger-driven explosion.