A closer look at the fluctuations in the brightness of SN 2009IP during its late 2012 eruption

J. C. Martin, F. J. Hambsch, R. Margutti, T. G. Tan, I. Curtis, A. Soderberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

The supernova (SN) impostor SN 2009ip has re-brightened several times since its initial discovery in 2009 August. During its last outburst in late 2012 September, it reached a peak brightness of mv ∼13.5 (Mv brighter than -18), causing some to speculate that it had undergone a terminal core-collapse SN. Relatively high-cadence multi-wavelength photometry of the post-peak decline revealed bumps in brightness infrequently observed in other SNe IIn. These bumps occurred synchronously in all ultraviolet (UV) and optical bands with amplitudes of 0.1-0.4 mag at intervals of 10-30 days. Episodic continuum brightening and dimming in the UV and optical with these characteristics is not easily explained within the context of models that have been proposed for the late September 2012 outburst of SN 2009ip. We also present evidence that the post-peak fluctuations in brightness occur at regular intervals and raise more questions about their origin.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number9
JournalAstronomical Journal
Volume149
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2015

Keywords

  • individual (SN 2009ip)
  • supernovae

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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