Radio Observations of the Type Ia SN 1986G and Constraints on the Symbiotic-Star Progenitor Scenario

Session 47 -- Binary Stars
Display presentation, Thursday, June 15, 1995, 9:20am - 4:00pm

[47.09] Radio Observations of the Type Ia SN 1986G and Constraints on the Symbiotic-Star Progenitor Scenario

C.R.Eck (U. of Ok), D.A.Roberts (U. of Ill), J.J.Cowan (U. of Ok), F.R.Boffi (STScI), D.Branch (U. of Ok)

Observations were made using the VLA in A array at 2 and 6 cm of the Type Ia SN 1986G 7 days before optical maximum. SN 1986G was not detected and upper limts on the rms noise level can be used to constrain models for Type Ia progenitors. One particular model that can be tested is the symbiotic-star scenario (a white dwarf accreting matter from a red giant companion). The rms noise levels of 0.2 mJy at 2 cm and 0.4 mJy at 6 cm are used to place an upper limit on the mass-loss rate from the red giant. The upper limit is difficult to reconcile with the symbiotic-star scenario for SN 1986G.

This work is supported in part by NSF AST93-14936.

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