Spectrophotometry of Supernovae and their Remnants

Author: Kirshner, Robert Paul

Year: 1975

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: Oke, J. Beverley

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Astronomy

DOI: 10.7907/YN9G-P338

Abstract

Spectrophotometry of extragalactic supernovae shortly after discovery, and of galactic supernova remnants has been used to derive the masses, temeratures[sic], compositions, and distances of supernovae.

The Crab Nebula is shown to have a mass of ionized hydrogen in excess of 0.3 M⊙, but no enrichment of oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur. The Cygnus Loop is shown to emit [Fe XIV], indicating gas at 2 x 106 °K: this establishes the thermal nature of the x-ray emission, and casts doubt on the Loop's size and distance.

Type II supernovae are shown to be consistent with a few solar masses of material at cosmic abundance. Their distances are found without reference to any other astronomical distance through a model of the expansion. Type I supernovae are shown to consist of about 1 solar mass of matter that may be 20 times enriched in iron, if the identification of [Fe II] lines at late stages is correct.

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