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SN 1991T: Reflections of past gloryWe have obtained photometry and spectra of SN 1991T which extend more than 1000 days past maximum light, by far the longest of SN Ia has been followed. Although SN 1991T exhibited nearly photometric behavior in the first 400 days following maximum, by 600 days its decline had slowed, and by 950 days the supernova brightness was consistent with a constant apparent magnitude of m(sub B) = 21.30. Spectra near maximum showed minor variations on the SN Ia theme which grew less conspicuous during the exponential decline. At 270 days the nebular spectrum was composed of Fe and Co lines common to SN Ia. However, by 750 days past maximum light, these lines had shifted in wavelength, and were superposed on a strong blue continuum. The luminosity of SN 1991T at 950 days is more than (9.0 x 10(exp 38)(D/13 Mpc)(2) ergs/s with a rate of decline of less than 0.04 mag per 100 days. We show that this emission is likely to be light that was emitted by SN 1991T near maximum light which has reflected from foreground dust, much like the light echos observed around SN 1987A.
Document ID
19950043333
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Schmidt, Brian P.
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA United States)
Kirshner, Robert P.
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA United States)
Leibundgut, Bruno
(European Southern Observatory Muenchen, Germany)
Wells, Lisa A.
(Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, AZ United States)
Porter, Alain C.
(Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, AZ United States)
Ruiz-Lapuente, Pilar
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA United States)
Challis, Peter
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA United States)
Filippenko, Alexei V.
(Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
October 10, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 2 - Letters
Volume: 434
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
95A74932
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-841
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF AST-91-15174
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF AST-92-18475
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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