Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2022

Abstract

SN 2014C was originally classified as a Type Ib supernova, but at phase ϕ = 127 days, post-explosion strong Hα emission was observed. SN 2014C has since been observed in radio, infrared, optical and X-ray bands. Here we present new optical spectroscopic and photometric data spanning ϕ = 947–2494 days post-explosion. We address the evolution of the broadened Hα emission line, as well as broad [O iii] emission and other lines. We also conduct a parallel analysis of all publicly available multiwavelength data. From our spectra, we find a nearly constant Hα FWHM velocity width of ∼2000 km s−1 that is significantly lower than that of other broadened atomic transitions (∼3000–7000 km s−1) present in our spectra ([O i] λ6300; [O iii] λλ4959, 5007; He i λ7065; [Ca ii] λλ7291, 7324). The late radio data demand a fast forward shock (∼10,000 km s−1 at ϕ = 1700 days) in rarified matter that contrasts with the modest velocity of the Hα. We propose that the infrared flux originates from a toroidal-like structure of hydrogen surrounding the progenitor system, while later emission at other wavelengths (radio, X-ray) likely originates predominantly from the reverse shock in the ejecta and the forward shock in the quasi-spherical progenitor He-wind. We propose that the Hα emission arises in the boundary layer between the ejecta and torus. We also consider the possible roles of a pulsar and a binary companion.

DOI

10.3847/1538-4357/ac5fa6

Publisher

American Astronomical Society

Publication Information

The Astrophysical Journal

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Included in

Physics Commons

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