Engineering topics

Mattila, Seppo

Publications and source records attributed to Mattila, Seppo.

3 records

DOE OSTI2026

HOLISMOKES XIX

We present imaging and spectroscopic observations of supernova SN 2025wny, associated with the lens candidate PS1 J0716+3821. Photometric monitoring from the Lulin and Maidanak observatories confirms multiple point-like images, consistent with SN 2025wny being strongly lensed by two foreground galaxies. Optical spectroscopy of the brightest image with the Nordic Optical Telescope and the University of Hawaii 88-inch Telescope allowed us to determine the redshift to be z SN = 2.008 ± 0.001, based on narrow absorption lines originating in the interstellar medium of the supernova host galaxy. At this redshift, SN 2025wny shows a very high rest-frame UV flux and broad spectral features even weeks after the explosion, which is consistent with superluminous supernovae of Type I. We find a high ejecta temperature and depressed spectral lines compared to other similar objects. We also measured, for the first time, the redshift of the fainter of the two lens galaxies (the ‘perturber’) to be z p = 0.375 ± 0.001, which is fully consistent with the DESI spectroscopic redshift of the main deflector at z d = 0.3754. Thus, SN 2025wny represents the first confirmed galaxy-scale strongly lensed supernova with time delays likely in the range of days to weeks, as judged from the image separations. This makes SN 2025wny suitable for cosmography, offering a promising new system for independent measurements of the Hubble constant. Following a tradition in the field of strongly lensed supernovae, we give SN 2025wny the nickname SN Winny.

Taubenberger, Stefan↗

DOE OSTI2018

Gaia17biu/SN 2017egm in NGC 3191: The Closest Hydrogen-poor Superluminous Supernova to Date Is in a “Normal,” Massive, Metal-rich Spiral Galaxy

Hydrogen-poor superluminous supernovae (SLSNe-I) have been mainly found in low-metallicity, star-forming dwarf galaxies. Here we identify Gaia17biu/SN 2017egm as an SLSN-I occurring in a "normal" spiral galaxy (NGC 3191) in terms of stellar mass (several times 10 10 M ⊙ ) and metallicity (roughly solar). At redshift z = 0.031, Gaia17biu is also the lowest-redshift SLSN-I to date, and the absence of a larger population of SLSNe-I in dwarf galaxies of similar redshift suggests that metallicity is likely less important to the production of SLSNe-I than previously believed. With the smallest distance and highest apparent brightness for an SLSN-I, we are able to study Gaia17biu in unprecedented detail. Its pre-peak near-ultraviolet to optical color is similar to that of Gaia16apd and among the bluest observed for an SLSN-I, while its peak luminosity (M g = –21 mag) is substantially lower than that of Gaia16apd. Due to the high signal-to-noise ratios of our spectra, we identify several new spectroscopic features that may help to probe the properties of these enigmatic explosions. We detect polarization at the ~0.5% level that is not strongly dependent on wavelength, suggesting a modest, global departure from spherical symmetry. Furthermore, we put the tightest upper limit yet on the radio luminosity of an SLSN-I with <5.4 × 10 26 erg s –1 Hz –1 at 10 GHz, which is almost a factor of 40 better than previous upper limits and one of the few measured at an early stage in the evolution of an SLSN-I. This limit largely rules out an association of this SLSN-I with known populations of gamma-ray-burst-like central engines.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS2012

Multi-wavelength Observations of the Enduring Type IIn Supernovae 2005ip and 2006jd1

We present an observational study of the Type IIn supernovae (SNe IIn) 2005ip and 2006jd. Broad-band UV, optical and near-IR photometry, and visual-wavelength spectroscopy of SN 2005ip complement and extend upon published observations to 6.5 years past discovery. Our observations of SN 2006jd extend from UV to mid-infrared wavelengths, and like SN 2005ip, are compared to reported X-ray measurements to understand the nature of the progenitor. Both objects display a number of similarities with the 1988Z-like subclass of SN IIn including: (i) remarkably similar early- and late-phase optical spectra, (ii) a variety of high ionization coronal lines, (iii) long-duration optical and near-IR emission and, (iv) evidence of cold and warm dust components. However, diversity is apparent including an unprecedented late-time r-band excess in SN 2006jd. The observed di erences are attributed to di erences between the mass-loss history of the progenitor stars. We conclude that the progenitor of SN 2006jd likely experienced a signi cant mass-loss event during its pre-SN evolution akin to the great 19th century eruption of eta Carinae. Contrarily, as advocated by Smith et al. (2009), we nd the circumstellar environment of SN 2005ip to be more consistent with a clumpy wind progenitor.

Stritzinger, Maximilian↗