Infrared supernovae in starbursts

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/185363· OSTI ID:6405867

Van Buren, D; Norman, C A

The problem of uniquely confirming that the luminosity source of starburst galaxies is a young population of massive stars is considered. Unambiguous detection of the supernova explosion associated with a massive stellar population would provide proof of the starburst hypothesis. High spatial resolution narrow-band infrared imaging of starburst galaxies directly detects the cobalt synthesized in Type II supernova explosions. Coupled with observations of other infrared lines and continuum, progenitor masses can be at least roughly estimated. A statistically large sample of starburst supernovae will lead to an average starburst initial mass function. Standard candles can also be constructed, based on both individual and populations of supernovae. With current and planned instruments, K-band can be found out to cosmological distances. 27 references.

• Research Organization: Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, MD (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6405867
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 336; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION SPECTRA
ERUPTIVE VARIABLE STARS
GALAXIES
INFRARED RADIATION
LUMINOSITY
MASS
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
ORIGIN
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
STAR EVOLUTION
STARS
SUPERNOVAE
SYNTHESIS
VARIABLE STARS