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The type Ia supernova SNLS-03D3bb from a super-Chandrasekhar-mass white dwarf star

Author

Listed:
  • D. Andrew Howell

    (University of Toronto)

  • Mark Sullivan

    (University of Toronto)

  • Peter E. Nugent

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Richard S. Ellis

    (California Institute of Technology)

  • Alexander J. Conley

    (University of Toronto)

  • Damien Le Borgne

    (DAPNIA/Service d'Astrophysique, CEA/Saclay)

  • Raymond G. Carlberg

    (University of Toronto)

  • Julien Guy

    (LPNHE, CNRS-IN2P3 and University of Paris VI and VII)

  • David Balam

    (University of Victoria)

  • Stephane Basa

    (LAM CNRS, BP8, Traverse du Siphon)

  • Dominique Fouchez

    (CPPM, CNRS-IN2P3 and University Aix Marseille II, Case 907)

  • Isobel M. Hook

    (University of Oxford Astrophysics, Denys Wilkinson Building)

  • Eric Y. Hsiao

    (University of Victoria)

  • James D. Neill

    (University of Victoria)

  • Reynald Pain

    (LPNHE, CNRS-IN2P3 and University of Paris VI and VII)

  • Kathryn M. Perrett

    (University of Toronto)

  • Christopher J. Pritchet

    (University of Victoria)

Abstract

Candle in the wind Type Ia supernovae are used as cosmological distance indicators. It is through them that the accelerating expansion of the Universe was detected, and with it the implied existence of dark energy. Their presumed reliability as 'standard candles' stems from the fact they have a fixed amount of fuel and a uniform trigger: they are predicted to explode when the mass of the white dwarf nears 1.4 solar masses, the 'Chandrasekhar' mass. Howell et al. now show that the high-redshift supernova SNLS-03D3bb does not play by these rules: its exceptionally high luminosity and low kinetic energy imply a super-Chandrasekhar mass progenitor. So future cosmological studies may need to consider possible contamination from such events when calculating distances.

Suggested Citation

  • D. Andrew Howell & Mark Sullivan & Peter E. Nugent & Richard S. Ellis & Alexander J. Conley & Damien Le Borgne & Raymond G. Carlberg & Julien Guy & David Balam & Stephane Basa & Dominique Fouchez & Is, 2006. "The type Ia supernova SNLS-03D3bb from a super-Chandrasekhar-mass white dwarf star," Nature, Nature, vol. 443(7109), pages 308-311, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:443:y:2006:i:7109:d:10.1038_nature05103
    DOI: 10.1038/nature05103
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