In this thesis I present a detailed study of two type IIn supernovae: PTFll iqb and SN 2011jb. I find that PTFll iqb shows complex Ha and H~ profiles, which indicate that the progenitor underwent multiple periods of mass loss . The shells formed by these periods of mass loss are interacting with the ejecta . The measured widths of the narrow components are consistent with a Red Supergiant progenitor. Asymmetric line profiles at late times suggest dust formation. Contrastingly, SN 2011jb appears to be a type Ic supernova which is interacting with a CSM, similarly to SNe 2002ic and SN 2005gj. In these cases the spectra can be modeled as ejecta interacting with a CSM superimposed upon a type la or le spectrum, which appears weak due to the attenuation caused by the dust. I endeavor to conduct a search of all core-collapse supernovae which have exploded within the cryogenic lifetime of Spitzer, within 25Mpc. It is found that type Un SNe were twice as likely to be recovered as other type II supernovae, but due to the low numbers of type Iblc supernovae for which data exists it is not possible. to draw any conclusions about their likelihood of being recovered. The dust which is found in type II supernovae was likely to be caused by a light echo as the ejecta heated the surrounding circumstellar medium. However, dust formation is found to be an equally likely explanation for the presence of dust in other type II supernovae. Lastly, I discuss approaches for furthering our understanding of core-collapse supernovae. These include plans for discovering supernovae more quickly, and studying them more effectively, using surveys such as PESSTO, and pushing the boundaries for the faintest and furthest supernovae we can see using larger telescopes such as the E- ELT.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:602594 |
| Date | January 2013 |
| Creators | Magill, Lindsay J. |
| Publisher | Queen's University Belfast |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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