The Relationship Between Core-collapse Supernova Light Curves and Their Host Galaxies

許思嫺

Abstract

This work aims to connect the characteristics of progenitor stars of core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) and light-curve properties by studying their host galaxies. This study collects host-galaxy photometric data from SDSS and determines the host-galaxy parameters with Z-peg. I find some significant trends between CCSN light curves and their host-galaxy parameters such as color and stellar mass. My results are consistent with some theoretical predictions that the photometric properties of CCSNe are related to their original progenitor stars.

Research Purpose

Given that the stars in a galaxy tend to have (on average) similar characteristics, this study aims to understand the properties of type II-P SN light curves by measuring their host-galaxy parameters, such as color, stellar mass, star-formation rate (SFR), and specific SFR (sSFR).

Methodology

Conclusions and Future Work

• Significant correlations:
1. The bluer the host galaxy, the brighter the SN peak luminosity (Mmax).
2. The bluer the host galaxy, the steeper the slope of the plateau duration in SN light curves (s2).
3. The more massive the host galaxy, the brighter the SN peak luminosity (Mmax).
• Possible correlations but not significant in statistics:
  The higher the host-galaxy sSFR, the brighter the SN peak luminosity (Mmax).
• Most of my results are consistent with the theoretical predictions, suggesting that host galaxy is an important tool to understand the progenitors of CCSNe. More observational data and analysis in the future are needed to put a stronger constraint on their explosion physics.