SN 2023uqf: An Interacting Supernova Coincident with a High-Energy Neutrino

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of a Type Ibn supernova, SN 2023uqf, coincident with a high-energy neutrino, providing observational evidence that interacting supernovae can accelerate cosmic hadrons.

Contribution

It presents the first observational link between an interacting supernova and high-energy neutrino production, supporting theories of supernovae as cosmic ray accelerators.

Findings

SN 2023uqf is a luminous, rapidly-evolving Type Ibn supernova.

Spectroscopic data shows interaction with dense circumstellar medium.

The supernova-neutrino coincidence is statistically unlikely by chance.

Abstract

Astrophysical high-energy (TeV-PeV) neutrinos were first discovered in 2013, but their origin remains largely unknown. Here we present SN 2023uqf, a supernova found in coincidence with high-energy neutrino IC231004A, as part of a systematic optical follow-up program with the Zwicky Transient Facility. SN 2023uqf had a luminous and rapidly-evolving lightcurve, and spectroscopic observations indicated that the source was a Type Ibn supernova. Spectroscopic signatures confirm ongoing interaction between the supernova ejecta and a dense circumstellar medium, as expected for high-energy neutrino production in a core-collapse supernova. Given the rare nature of Type Ibn supernovae, SN 2023uqf is unlikely to have been discovered by chance over the course of our program (p=0.3%). Our discovery of SN 2023uqf provides the first observational evidence to support long-held theories that interacting supernovae can serve as cosmic hadron accelerators.