Project Description: Massive stars and their explosive deaths, supernovae, have a profound influence on the Universe at every scale from galaxy evolution to the creation of the elements necessary for life. However, we do not understand how stars between 8-12 times the mass of the sun explode. The locations of supernovae SN 2021yja and SN 2022acko were both observed by the Hubble Space Telescope before the supernova explosion - capturing images of the star before it exploded. These images imply that both stars were about 8 times the mass of the sun. However, the supernova explosions themselves looked very different. This project will compare these two different supernovae with seemingly similar origins to verify the initial masses and understand what factors influence the diversity of the supernova evolution (e.g. different explosion mechanisms or mass loss histories). This work will include analysis of observations from the Hubble Space Telescope, the Swift Space Telescope, and ground based resources.
NASA Relevance: This research will use data from two NASA missions to analyze the properties of massive stars and their supernova explosions. Understanding these energetic objects is essential for understanding how galaxies and stars evolve and how the elements in the universe (essential for life) are created. Images from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope of the stars before they exploded will be analyzed to determine the mass of each star. Images from NASA's Swift Space Telescope will be used to understand the evolution of the temperature and radius of the supernova and the location and density of any material the star lost before it exploded.
Work Description:
- Review the literature to understand pre-explosion observations and current analysis of SN 2021yja and SN 2022acko
- Compare the spectral energy distribution of the progenitors of both supernovae derived from Observations with the Hubble Space Telescope
- Compare the brightness evolution of the two supernovae, including in the ultraviolet with images from the Swift Space Telescope
- Compare the properties and evolution of the spectra (e.g. emission and absorption line strength and width which indicate the composition of the supernova material and the speed at which it is traveling)
- Independently measure the mass of the star that exploded using spectra taken 1 year after explosion
Open or Reserved Project: 1 position reserved, but will consider new student if requested student not awarded.