Analysis of the Polarization and Flux Spectra of SN 1993J

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Synthetic polarization and flux spectra are presented for aspherical electron scattering-dominated photospheres of Type II supernovae in general and the specific case of SN 1993J from Monte Carlo calculations. The observed luminosity of a Type II supernova depends on the unknown inclination angle. Spectral analysis alone will fail to detect even strong deviations from spherical symmetry. Both the flux spectra and the percentage of polarization as a function of wavelength for SN 1993J can be reproduced by an aspherical model with an axis ratio of 0.6, radial electron densities inversely proportional to the radius to the fifth power and an effective temperature of 4800 K. In an oblate model, SN 1993J is seen almost equator on. The line forming region is still within the hydrogen-rich part of the envelope 3 weeks after the explosion, although the continuum may form in deeper layers. Although the residual polarization across H-alpha is not zero, the interstellar component derived herein is consistent with that deduced by Trammell et al. (1993)

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: