The Most Luminous Supernovae

By A. Gal-yam. Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics, 2018

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Over a decade ago, a group of supernova explosions with peak luminosities far exceeding (often by >100 times) those of normal events has been identified. These superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) have been a focus of intensive study. I review the accumulated observations and discuss the implications for the physics of these extreme explosions. ▪ SLSNe can be classified into hydrogen-poor (SLSNe-I) and hydrogen-rich (SLSNe-II) events. ▪ Combining photometric and spectroscopic analysis of samples of nearby SLSNe-I and lower-luminosity events, a threshold of [Formula: see text] mag at peak appears to separate SLSNe-I from the normal population. ▪ SLSN-I light curves can be quite complex, presenting both early bumps and late postpeak undulations. ▪ SLSNe-I spectroscopically evolve from an early hot photospheric phase with a blue continuum and weak absorption lines, through a cool photospheric phase resembling spectra of SNe Ic, and into the late nebular phase. ▪ SLSNe-II are not nearly as well studied, lacking information based on large-sample studies. Proposed models for the SLSN power source are challenged to explain all the observations. SLSNe arise from massive progenitors, with some events associated with very massive stars ([Formula: see text] M[Formula: see text]). Host galaxies of SLSNe in the nearby Universe tend to have low mass and subsolar metallicity. SLSNe are rare, with rates <100 times lower than ordinary supernovae. SLSN cosmology and their use as beacons to study the high-redshift Universe offer exciting prospects.

Subfields: Astronomy and Astrophysics, Instrumentation

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The Zwicky Transient Facility Bright Transient Survey. II. A Public Statistical Sample for Exploring Supernova Demographics (2020, background): “At the high-luminosity end, the superluminous supernova (SLSN; for reviews see Gal-Yam 2012, 2019) population is clearly visible as a group extending to the top and right of the general SN population, although with no indication of a gap between the SLSN and general SN populations (in agreement…”