In the vast, dusty corners of the cosmos, a mysterious celestial event has captivated astronomers, offering a glimpse into the enigmatic world of electron-capture supernovae. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), with its unparalleled infrared capabilities, has shed new light on the intermediate-luminosity red transient (ILRT) known as AT 2019abn. This finding, led by Sam Rose of the Division of Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy at the California Institute of Technology, has been published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
AT 2019abn, a transient source that peaks in luminosity between classical novae and supernovae, has long been shrouded in mystery. Its extremely red and dusty progenitor was initially detected only in pre-explosion Spitzer/IRAC imaging at 3.6 and 4.5 μ m, remaining elusive in deep optical or near-infrared Hubble Space Telescope images. The latest late-time observations from NEOWISE and JWST have provided crucial insights, aligning AT 2019abn’s evolution with that of the well-studied SN 2008S.
The JWST’s spectroscopic observations with NIRSpec and MIRI-LRS have revealed strong mid-IR class C polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon features at 6.3 and 8.25 μ m. These features, characteristic of carbon-rich post-AGB sources, suggest that the dust around AT 2019abn is composed of carbonaceous grains. This discovery is significant because it challenges the conventional understanding of dust composition around red supergiants, which typically do not exhibit such carbon-rich chemistry.
Sam Rose, the lead author of the study, explains, “Our observations with JWST are consistent with AT 2019abn having an SAGB progenitor and exploding as an electron-capture supernova. This adds a new layer to our understanding of these enigmatic events.”
The implications of this research extend beyond the realm of astrophysics into the energy sector. Electron-capture supernovae, while relatively rare, play a crucial role in the life cycle of stars and the distribution of elements in the universe. Understanding these events could provide insights into the formation of heavy elements, which are essential for various energy-producing processes on Earth. Moreover, the advanced infrared spectroscopy techniques employed in this study could pave the way for new technologies in energy detection and measurement, potentially revolutionizing fields such as solar energy and nuclear fusion.
As we continue to explore the cosmos with advanced tools like JWST, the mysteries of the universe unfold before us, offering not only scientific enlightenment but also practical applications that could shape the future of energy production. The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, marks a significant step forward in our quest to unravel the secrets of the cosmos and harness their potential for human benefit.
