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Several recurrent X-class flares from Active Region (AR) 13664 have triggered a severe G5-class geomagnetic storm between May 10 and 11, 2024. The morphology and compactness of this AR closely resemble the active region responsible for the famous Carrington Event of 1859. Although the induced geomagnetic currents produced a value of the Dst index, probably, an order of magnitude weaker than that of the Carrington Event, the characteristics of AR 13664 warrant special attention. Understanding the mechanisms of magnetic field emergence and transformation in the solar atmosphere that lead to the formation of such an extensive, compact and complex AR is crucial. Our analysis of the emerging flux and horizontal motions of the magnetic structures observed in the photosphere reveals the fundamental role of a sequence of emerging bipoles at the same latitude and longitude, followed by converging and shear motions. This temporal order of processes frequently invoked in magnetohydrodynamic models - emergence, converging motions, and shear motions - is critical for the storage of magnetic energy preceding strong solar eruptions that, under the right timing, location and direction conditions, can trigger severe space weather events at Earth., Comment: 25 pages, 5 figures

We present the sympathetic eruption of a standard and a blowout coronal jets originating from two adjacent coronal bright points (CBP1 and CBP2) in a polar coronal hole, using soft X-ray and extreme ultraviolet observations respectively taken by the Hinode and the Solar Dynamic Observatory. In the event, a collimated jet with obvious westward lateral motion firstly launched from CBP1, during which a small bright point appeared around CBP1's east end, and magnetic flux cancellation was observed within the eruption source region. Based on these characteristics, we interpret the observed jet as a standard jet associated with photosperic magnetic flux cancellation. About 15 minutes later, the westward moving jet spire interacted with CBP2 and resulted in magnetic reconnection between them, which caused the formation of the second jet above CBP2 and the appearance of a bright loop system in-between the two CBPs. In addition, we observed the writhing, kinking, and violent eruption of a small kink structure close to CBP2's west end but inside the jet-base, which made the second jet brighter and broader than the first one. These features suggest that the second jet should be a blowout jet triggered by the magnetic reconnection between CBP2 and the spire of the first jet. We conclude that the two successive jets were physically connected to each other rather than a temporal coincidence, and this observation also suggests that coronal jets can be triggered by external eruptions or disturbances, besides internal magnetic activities or magnetohydrodynamic instabilities., Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in ApJL

Quasi-periodic fast propagating (QFP) waves are often excited by solar flares, and could be trapped in the coronal structure with low Alfv\'en speed, so they could be used as a diagnosing tool for both the flaring core and magnetic waveguide. As the periodicity of a QFP wave could originate from a periodic source or be dispersively waveguided, it is a key parameter for diagnosing the flaring core and waveguide. In this paper, we study two QFP waves excited by a GOES-class C1.3 solar flare occurring at active region NOAA 12734 on 8 March 2019. Two QFP waves were guided by two oppositely oriented coronal funnel. The periods of two QFP waves were identical and were roughly equal to the period of the oscillatory signal in the X-ray and 17 GHz radio emission released by the flaring core. It is very likely that the two QFP waves could be periodically excited by the flaring core. Many features of this QFP wave event is consistent with the magnetic tuning fork model. We also investigated the seismological application with QFP waves, and found that the magnetic field inferred with magnetohydrodynamic seismology was consistent with that obtained in magnetic extrapolation model. Our study suggest that the QFP wave is a good tool for diagnosing both the flaring core and the magnetic waveguide., Comment: ApJL,10 pages,5 figures

We report air temperature and humidity changes during the two solar eclipses of 26 December 2019, and of 21 June 2020, respectively, in the cities of Al-Hofuf and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. During the December eclipse the Sun rose already eclipsed (91.53% of the area covered) while the June eclipse, although also annular in other places of the Arabian Peninsula, was just partial at Riyadh (area covered 72.80%). This difference apparently affected the observed response on the recorded variables of temperature, relative humidity (RH) and vapor pressure (VP) in the two events. Change in these variables went unnoticed for the first eclipse since it was within the natural variability of the day; yet for the other, they showed clearly some trend alterations, which we analyze and discuss. A decrease in temperature of 3.2 {\deg}C was detected in Riyadh; however, RH and VP showed an oscillation that we explain in the light of a similar effect reported in other eclipses. We found a time lag of about 15 min measured from the eclipse central phase in this city. We made an inspection of related fluctuations and dynamics from the computed rates of the temporal variation of temperature and RH. Trying to identify the influence of solar eclipses in similar environments we have made a broad inter-comparison with other observations of these variables in the Near East, northern Africa and in the United States. We compare our results with results obtained by other authors working with the December eclipse but in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, which showed dissimilar results. These inter-comparisons show how effectively the lower atmosphere can respond to a solar eclipse within a desert environment and others similar. As a preamble, a historical revision of temperature and humidity in the context of eclipse meteorology is also included., Comment: 68 pp. 17 figures, 4 tables

We report a detailed observational study of two quasi-periodic fast-propagating (QFP) magnetosonic wave events occurred on 2011 March 09 and 10, respectively. Interestingly, both the two events have two wave trains (WTs): one main and strong (WT-1) whereas the second appears small and weak (WT-2). Peculiar and common characteristics of the two events are observed, namely: 1) the two QFP waves are accompanied with brightenings during the whole stage of the eruptions; 2) both the two main wave trains are nearly propagating along the same direction; 3) EUV waves are found to be associated with the two events. Investigating various aspects of the target events, we argue that: 1) the second event is accompanied with a flux rope eruption during the whole stage; 2) the second event eruption produces a new filament-like (FL) dark feature; 3) the ripples of the two WT-2 QFP waves seem to result from different triggering mechanisms. Based on the obtained observational results, we propose that the funnel-like coronal loop system is indeed playing an important role in the two WT-1 QFP waves. The development of the second WT-2 QFP wave can be explained as due to the dispersion of the main EUV front. The co-existence of the two events offer thereby a significant opportunity to reveal what driving mechanisms and structures are tightly related to the waves., Comment: 9 figures,ApJ,accepted, December 19,2019

In this paper,we report a detailed analysis of recurrent jets originated from a location with emerging, canceling and converging negative magnetic field at the east edge of NOAA active region AR11166 from 2011 March 09 to 10. The event presented several interesting features. First, a satellite sunspot appeared and collided with a pre-existing opposite polarity magnetic field and caused a recurrent solar jet event. Second, the evolution of the jets showed blowout-like nature and standard characteristics. Third, the satellite sunspot exhibited a motion toward southeast of AR11166 and merged with the emerging flux near the opposite polarity sunspot penumbra, which afterward, due to flux convergence and cancellation episodes, caused recurrent jets. Fourth, three of the blowout jets associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs), were observed from field of view of the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory. Fifth, almost all the blowout jet eruptions were accompanied with flares or with more intense brightening in the jet base region, while almost standard jets did not manifest such obvious feature during eruptions. The most important, the blowout jets were inclined to faster and larger scale than the standard jets. The standard jets instead were inclined to relative longer-lasting. The obvious shearing and twisting motions of the magnetic field may be interpreted as due to the shearing and twisting motions for a blowout jet eruption. From the statistical results, about 30% blowout jets directly developed into CMEs. It suggests that the blowout jets and CMEs should have a tight relationship., Comment: ApJ 18 pages, 7 figures

Quasi-periodic fast-propagating (QFP) magnetosonic waves and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) waves were proposed to be driven by solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), respectively. In this Letter, we present a detailed analysis of an interesting event in which we find that both QFP magnetosonic waves and EUV waves are excited simultaneously in one solar eruption event. The co-existence of the two wave phenomena offers an excellent opportunity to explore their driving mechanisms. The QFP waves propagate in a funnel-like loop system with a speed of 682--837 \speed{} and a lifetime of 2 minutes. On the contrary, the EUV waves, which present a faster component and a slower component, propagate in a wide angular extent, experiencing reflection and refraction across a magnetic quasi-separatrix layer. The faster component of the EUV waves travels with a speed of 412--1287 \speed{}, whereas the slower component travels with a speed of 246--390 \speed{}. The lifetime of the EUV waves is $\sim$15 minutes. It is revealed that the faster component of the EUV waves is cospatial with the first wavefront of the QFP wave train. Besides, The QFP waves have a period of about 45$\pm$5 seconds, which is absent in the associated flares. All these results imply that QFP waves can also be excited by mass ejections, including CMEs or jets., Comment: 5 figures,ApJL accepted 2018-12-22

Recently, two strong homologous white light flares of X-GOES class occurred on the Sun on Sept. 06, 2017, providing a rare exceptional opportunity to study the mechanisms responsible for the formation of the magnetic field configurations suitable for the manifestation of such yet enigmatic eruptive events and their effects in the lower layers of the solar atmosphere. Using photospheric vector magnetograms, taken before the beginning of the two X-class events, as boundary conditions to reconstruct the non$-$linear coronal magnetic field configuration, we identified two related 3D null points located at low heights above the photosphere (i.e. in very low corona). These null points are most likely responsible for the triggering of the two strong X-GOES class flares. We deduced that their formation at such low altitudes may plausibly be ascribed to the peculiar photospheric horizontal motions of the main magnetic structures of the hosting Active Region NOAA 12673. These events can be adopted as a hint for a possible interpretation of the activity of young G-type stars, recently reported by the Kepler mission. We argued that a possible explanation of the acceleration of huge numbers of particles producing white light emission, during the Sept. 6 events as well as during white light flares in young Sun-like stars, might be attributed to the special accompanying conditions of the occurrence of magnetic reconnection at low altitudes of their atmospheres., Comment: Accepted for publication in Solar Physics Journal; 18 pages, 9 figures. This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of the accepted article

We describe the peculiarity of two recurrent white light flares occurred on Sept. 06, 2017, in the super Active Region (SAR) NOAA 12673, with a time interval, between their peaks, of about 3 hours. These events of X2.2 and X9.3 GOES class are very important not only for their high level of emission and for the visible effects on the lower layers of the solar atmosphere, discernible as clear white light ribbons, but as well for the strong horizontal photospheric motions which seemed to drive them. In fact, we observed for several hours before the flare occurrence the displacement of a negative umbra located in the main delta spot of the Active Region. We measured velocities up to 0.6 km s$^{-1}$. The strong and persistent shear motion of the photospheric structures together with the high intensity of the magnetic flux involved by these events can be considered responsible for the new energy continuously supplied into the magnetic system. From the timing of the emissions at different wavelengths we were able to provide some constraints for the modeling of such events., Comment: 19 pages, 5 figures

The sky brightness is a critical parameter for estimating the coronal observation conditions for solar observatory. As part of a site-survey project in Western China, we measured the sky brightness continuously at the Lijiang Observatory in Yunnan province in 2011. A sky brightness monitor (SBM) was adopted to measure the sky brightness in a region extending from 4.5 to 7.0 apparent solar radii based on the experience of the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Tele- scope (DKIST) site survey. Every month, the data were collected manually for at least one week. We collected statistics of the sky brightness at four bandpasses located at 450, 530, 890, and 940 nm. The results indicate that aerosol scattering is of great importance for the diurnal variation of the sky brightness. For most of the year, the sky brightness remains under 20 millionths per airmass before local Noon. On average, the sky brightness is less than 20 millionths accounts for 40.41 % of the total observing time in a clear day. The best observation time is from 9:00 to 13:00 (Beijing time). Lijiang Observatory is therefore suitable for coronagraphs investigating the structures and dynamics of the corona.

We present observational analysis of two successive two-sided loop jets observed by the ground-based New Vacuum Solar Telescope (NVST) and the space-borne Solar Dynamics Observatory ( SDO). The two successive two-sided loop jets manifested similar evolution process and both were associated with the interaction of two small-scale adjacent filamentary threads, magnetic emerging and cancellation processes at the jet's source region. High temporal and high spatial resolution observations reveal that the two adjacent ends of the two filamentary threads are rooted in opposite magnetic polarities within the source region. The two threads approached to each other, and then an obvious brightening patch is observed at the interaction position. Subsequently, a pair of hot plasma ejections are observed heading to opposite directions along the paths of the two filamentary threads, and with a typical speed of two-sided loop jets of the order 150 km/s. Close to the end of the second jet, we report the formation of a bright hot loop structure at the source region, which suggests the formation of new loops during the interaction. Based on the observational results, we propose that the observed two-sided loop jets are caused by the magnetic reconnection between the two adjacent filamentary threads, largely different from the previous scenario that a two-sided loop jet is generated by magnetic reconnection between an emerging bipole and the overlying horizontal magnetic fields., Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures, accepted by ApJ

In this paper, we present a detailed analysis of a coronal blowout jet eruption which was associated with an obvious extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) wave and one complicated coronal mass ejection (CME) event based on the multi-wavelength and multi-view-angle observations from {\sl Solar Dynamics Observatory} and {\sl Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory}. It is found that the triggering of the blowout jet was due to the emergence and cancellation of magnetic fluxes on the photosphere. During the rising stage of the jet, the EUV wave appeared just ahead of the jet top, lasting about 4 minutes and at a speed of 458 - \speed{762}. In addition, obvious dark material is observed along the EUV jet body, which confirms the observation of a mini-filament eruption at the jet base in the chromosphere. Interestingly, two distinct but overlapped CME structures can be observed in corona together with the eruption of the blowout jet. One is in narrow jet-shape, while the other one is in bubble-shape. The jet-shaped component was unambiguously related with the outwardly running jet itself, while the bubble-like one might either be produced due to the reconstruction of the high coronal fields or by the internal reconnection during the mini-filament ejection according to the double-CME blowout jet model firstly proposed by Shen et al. (2012b), suggesting more observational evidence should be supplied to clear the current ambiguity based on large samples of blowout jets in future studies., Comment: APJ, Accepted October 19, 2018

The Sky Brightness Monitor (SBM) is an important instrument to measure the brightness level for the sky condition, which is a critical parameter for judging a site for solar coronal observations. In this paper we present an automatic method for the processing of SBM data in large quantity, which can separate the regions of the Sun and the nearby sky as well as recognize the regions of the supporting arms in the field of view. These processes are implemented on the data acquired by more than one SBM instruments during our site survey project in western China. An analysis applying the result from our processes has been done for the assessment of the scattered-light levels by the instrument. Those results are considerably significant for further investigations and studies, notably to derive a series of the other important atmospheric parameters such as extinctions, aerosol content and precipitable water vapor content for candidate sites. Our processes also provide a possible way for full-disk solar telescopes to track the Sun without an extra guiding system., Comment: 18 pages, 13 figures, accepted by MNRAS on June 19, 2014

We present an observational study of a quasi-periodic fast propagating (QFP) magnetosonic wave on 2012, April 23. The multiple wave trains were observed along an active region open loop system which has a divergence geometry. The wave trains were first observed in 171 A observations at a distance of 150 Mm from the footpoint of the guiding loop system and with a speed of 689 km/s, then they appeared in 193 A observations after their interaction with a perpendicular underlaying loop system on the path, in the meantime, the wave speed decelerated to 343 km/s quickly within a short timescale. The sudden deceleration of the wave trains and their appearance in 193 A observations caused by the interaction are interpreted through geometric effect and the density increase of the guiding loop system, respectively. On the other hand, with Wavelet and Fourier analysis methods we find that the wave trains has a common period of 80 s with the associated flare. In addition, a few low frequencies are also identified in the QFP wave. We propose that the generation of the period of 80 s was caused by the periodic releasing of energy busts through some nonlinear processes in magnetic reconnection or the so-called oscillatory reconnection mechanism, while the low frequencies detected in the QFP wave were possibly the manifestations of the leakage of pressure-driven oscillations from the photosphere or chromosphere, which could be an important source for driving QFP waves in the low corona. Our observational results also indicate that the properties of the guiding magnetic structure such as the distributions of magnetic field and density as well as geometry are crucial for modulating the propagation behaviors of QFP waves. Therefore, QFP waves could be used for remote diagnostics of the local physical properties of the solar corona., Comment: Accepted by Solar Physics, corrected version

We study the spectroscopic properties of a selected sample of 26 events within Core Collapse Supernovae (CCSNe) family. Special attention is paid to the nebular oxygen forbidden line [O I] 6300,6364\AA\ doublet. We analyze the line flux ratio "$F_{6300}/F_{6364}$", and infer information about the optical depth evolution, densities, volume-filling factors in the oxygen emitting zones. The line luminosity is measured for the sample events and its evolution is discussed on the basis of the bolometric light curve properties in type II and in type Ib-c SNe. The luminosities are then translated into oxygen abundances using two different methods. The resulting oxygen amounts are combined with the recovered $^{56}$Ni masses and compared with theoretical models by means of the "$[O/Fe] .vs. M_{ms}$" diagram. Two distinguishable and continuous populations, corresponding to Ib-c and type II SNe, are found. The higher mass nature of the ejecta in type II objects is also imprinted on the [Ca II] 7291,7324\AA\ over [O I] 6300,6364\AA\ luminosity ratios. Our results may be used as input parameters for theoretical models studying the chemical enrichment of galaxies., Comment: As a first step we concentrate our study on 26 selected events. For future investigation we aim to enlarge the studied sample including more recent and up-dated observed CCSNe objects. 20 pages, 7 figures, 1 table

Photometric observations of three core collapse supernovae (SNe 2004ao, 2004gk and 2006gi), covering about 200 days of evolution are presented and analyzed. The photometric behaviour of the three objects is consistent with their membership of the envelope-stripped type Ib/c class. Pseudo-bolometric light curves are constructed. The corresponding measured $e$-folding times are found to be faster compared to the $^{56}$Co decay (i.e. 111.3 d), suggesting that a proportion of $\gamma$-rays increasing with time have escaped without thermalization, owing to the low mass nature of the ejecta. SN 2006gi has almost identical post maximum decline phase luminosities as SN 1999ex, and found to be similar to both SNe 1999dn and 1999ex in terms of the quasi-bolometric shape, placing it among the fast decliner Ib objects. SN 2004ao appears to fit within the slow decliner Ib SNe. SNe 2004ao and 2004gk display almost identical luminosities in the [50-100] days time interval, similar to SN 1993J. A preliminary simplified $\gamma -$ray deposition model is described and applied to the computed pseudo-bolometric light curves, allowing one to find a range in the ejecta and $^{56}$Ni masses. The optical and quasi-bolometric light curves, and the $B-V$ colour evolution of SN 2004gk are found to show a sudden drop after day 150. Correlating this fact to dust formation is premature and requires further observational evidence., Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal; (11 two-columns Pages, 11 figures, 6 Tables; Scheduled for publication in April 2011)

The "U,B,V,R,I" light curves of the type IIP supernovae (SNe IIP) SN 2005ay and SN 2005cs, and one spectrum for SN 2005cs, are presented and analyzed. We found both events to be fainter than the average SN IIP, with SN 2005cs showing slight brightening in the second half of plateau stage in the $V,R,I$ bands and a low expansion velocity. The effects of two different plausible distance moduli on the derived physical parameters of SN 2005ay are considered. Two approaches are used to estimate the expansion velocities at the middle of the plateau phase. Based on empirical analytical models we derived constraints on the progenitor properties. The amounts of the ejected $^{56}$Ni are also recovered., Comment: 5 pages. Proceedings of the conference ``The Multicoloured Landscape of Compact Objects and their Explosive Origins'', 2006 June 11--24, Cefalu, Sicily, to be published by AIP

We discuss results of analyzing a time series of selected photospheric-optical spectra of core collapse supernovae (CCSNe). This is accomplished by means of the parameterized supernovae synthetic spectrum (SSp) code ``SYNOW''. Special attention is addressed to traces of hydrogen at early phases, especially for the stripped-envelope SNe (i.e. SNe Ib-c). A thin low mass hydrogen layer extending to very high ejection velocities above the helium shell, is found to be the most likely scenario for Type Ib SNe., Comment: 8 pages. Proceedings of the conference ``The Multicoloured Landscape of Compact Objects and their Explosive Origins'', 2006 June 11--24, Cefalu, Sicily, to be published by AIP

Two quantitative tests DIFF1 and DIFF2 for measuring goodness-of-fit between two locally-normalized supernova spectra are presented. Locally-normalized spectra are obtained by dividing a spectrum by the same spectrum smoothed over a wavelength interval relatively large compared to line features, but relatively small compared to continuum features. DIFF1 essentially measures the mean relative difference between the line patterns of locally-normalized spectra and DIFF2 is DIFF1 minimized by a relative logarithmic wavelength shift between the spectra: the shift is effectively an artificial relative Doppler shift. Both DIFF1 and DIFF2 measure the physical similarity of line formation, and thus of supernovae. DIFF1 puts more weight on overall physical similarity of the supernovae than DIFF2 because the DIFF2 shift compensates somewhat for some physical distinction in the supernovae. Both tests are useful in ordering supernovae into empirical groupings for further analysis. We present some examples of locally-normalized spectra for Type IIb supernova SN 1993J with some analysis of these spectra. The UV parts of two of the SN 1993J spectra are HST spectra that have not been published before. We also give an example of fitted locally-normalized spectra and, as an example of the utility of DIFF1 and DIFF2, some preliminary statistical results for hydrogen-deficient core-collapse (HDCC) supernova spectra. This paper makes use of and refers to material to found at the first author's online supernova spectrum database SUSPEND (SUpernovae Spectra PENDing further analysis: see http://www.nhn.ou.edu/~jeffery/astro/sne/spectra/spectra.html), Comment: 6 coauthors, 53 pages, 6 Figures, accepted by the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series Version 2: Improved discussion from Version 1

Aims: To derive observational properties and physical parameters of the progenitor stars of type IIP supernovae SN 2005ay and SN 2005cs from their U,B,V,R,I CCD photometry, and to define their velocity behaviour. Methods: Light curves are analysed, and the velocities and spectral characteristics of SN 2005cs are obtained using synthetic spectra modeling. Results: Both supernovae are found to be fainter than the average SN IIP, with SN 2005cs being more subluminous and showing slight brightening in the second half of plateau stage in the V,R,I bands and a low expansion velocity. The effects of two different plausible distance moduli on the derived physical parameters of SN 2005ay are considered. Two approaches are used to recover the amounts of the ejected 56Ni, indicating masses of the order of 0.02 Msun, although late luminosities might indicate a higher amount for SN 2005ay, especially for the large distance case. Constraints on the progenitor properties are also presented, based on empirical analytical models. Two approaches are used to estimate the expansion velocities at the middle of the plateau phase. SN 2005cs represents an example of where all 3 physical parameters, velocity, energy and 56Ni mass are lower than average, a correlation not always observed in SNe IIP. SN 2005ay may belong to the same class if the shorter distance possibility is adopted. Furthermore, the estimated mass range for SN 2005cs is in agreement with limits established by using pre-supernova imaging., Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, to be published in A&A vol.460, issue 3, December 2006

The spectroscopic properties of a selected optical photospheric spectra of core collapse supernovae (CCSNe) are investigated.Special attention is devoted to traces of hydrogen at early phases. The generated spectra are found to match the observed ones reasonably well, including a list of only 23 candidate ions. Guided by SN Ib 1990I, the observed trough near 6300\AA is attributed to H$\alpha$ in almost all Type Ib events, although in some objects it becomes too weak to be discernible, especially at later phases. Alternative line identifications are discussed. Differences in the way hydrogen manifests its presence within CCSNe are highlighted. In Type Ib SNe, the H$\alpha$ contrast velocity (i.e. line velocity minus the photospheric velocity) seems to increase with time at early epochs, reaching values as high as 8000 km s$^{-1}$ around 15-20 days after maximum and then remains almost constant. The derived photospheric velocities, indicate a lower velocity for Type II SNe 1987A and 1999em as compared to SN Ic 1994I and SN IIb 1993J, while Type Ib events display a somewhat larger variation. The scatter, around day 20, is measured to be $\sim$5000 km s$^{-1}$. Following two simple approaches, rough estimates of ejecta and hydrogen masses are given. A mass of hydrogen of approximately 0.02 $M_\odot$ is obtained for SN 1990I, while SNe 1983N and 2000H ejected $\sim$0.008 $M_\odot$ and $\sim$0.08 $M_\odot$ of hydrogen, respectively. SN 1993J has a higher hydrogen mass, $\sim 0.7$ $M_\odot$ with a large uncertainty. A low mass and thin hydrogen layer with very high ejection velocities above the helium shell, is thus the most likely scenario for Type Ib SNe. Some interesting and curious issues relating to oxygen lines suggest future investigations., Comment: 26 pages, 37 figures, 2 tables. Published in Astronomy and Astrophysics (Volume 450, Page 305); Title changed

Photometry and spectra of the type Ib SN 1990I are presented and analysed, covering about 400 days of evolution. The presence of optical helium lines is shown. SN 1990I seems to show higher velocities compared to a sample of type Ib events. The nebular emission lines display a high degree of asymmetry and the presence of fine structures. Using the [O I] 6300,64A flux, we estimate a lower limit on the oxygen mass to fall in the range (0.7-1.35) M_solar. The oxygen mass requires a filling factor as small as 10^{-2} on day 254, indicating a highly clumpy distribution of the oxygen material. A blueshift of the order 600 km/s is reported in the [O I] 6300,64A after day 254. The [Ca II] 7307.5A emission profile appears blueshifted as well at late epochs . We recover the quasi-bolometric "BVRI" light curve of SN 1990I. The constructed bolometric light curve shows a change of slope at late phases, with an e-folding time of 60 +/-2 d in the [50:200] d time interval, considerably faster than the one of {56}Co decay (i.e. 111.3 d), suggesting the gamma-rays escape with lower deposition, owing to the low mass nature of the ejecta. After day 200, an $e$-folding time ~47 +/-2.8 d is measured. A simplified gamma-ray deposition model is applied after adding a contribution of about 35% to the computed pseudo-bolometric light curves to account for near-IR luminosities to estimate the ejecta and {56}Ni masses (M({56}Ni)=0.11 M_solar and M_{ej}=3.7 M_solar). The deficit in luminosity is estimated to be about 50% around day 308. The observed spectral blueshift combined with the dramatic and sudden drop in the pseudo-bolometric light curve and (B-V) colour is interpreted to be a consequence of dust condensation in the ejecta of SN 1990I around day 250., Comment: 17 pages, 11 gigures and 5 tables. To appear in A & A (accepted)

We analyse late-time observations, available photometry and spectra, of a sample of type II plateau supernovae (SNe IIP). The possibility of using H$\alpha$ luminosity at the nebular epoch as a tracer of $^{56}$Ni mass in this class of objects is investigated, yielding a consistency with the photometry-based estimates within 20%. Interesting correlations are found and their impacts on our present understanding of the physics of core collapse SNe are discussed., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, Proceedings of IAU Colloquium 192, 'Supernovae (10 years of SN1993J)', 22-26 April 2003, Valencia, Spain

The possibility is investigated that the H$\alpha$ luminosity at the nebular epoch may be an additional indicator of $^{56}$Ni mass in type II supernovae with plateau (SNe IIP), on the basis of available photometry and spectra. We first derive the $^{56}$Ni mass from the $M_V$ magnitude on the radioactive tail using a standard approach. A confirmation of the correlation between $^{56}$Ni mass and plateau $M_V$ magnitude found recently by Hamuy (2003) is evident. There is strong evidence of a correlation between steepness of the $V$ light curve slope at the inflection time and the $^{56}$Ni mass. If confirmed, this relation may provide distance and extinction independent estimates of the amount of $^{56}$Ni in SNe IIP. We then apply upgraded radioactive models of H$\alpha$ luminosity at the nebular epoch and claim that it may be a good indicator of $^{56}$Ni, if mass, energy and mixing properties vary moderately (within factor $\sim 1.4$) among SNe IIP . This method of the $^{56}$Ni mass determination from H$\alpha$ luminosities yields results which are consistent with the photometric mass of $^{56}$Ni mass to within 20%. This result also implies that the parameters of SNe IIP events (mass, energy and mixing properties) are rather similar among the majority of SNe IIP, except for rare cases of SN II intermediate between IIP and IIL (linear), of which SN 1970G is an example., Comment: 11 pages, 10 figures and 4 tables. to appear in A & A (accepted)

We present photometry and spectra of the type IIP SN1999em in NGC 1637 from several days after the outburst till day 642. An amount of $\approx 0.02 M_{\odot}$ of ejected $^{56}$Ni is inferred using the recovered bolometric light curve . The H$\alpha$ and He I 10830 \AA lines at the nebular epoch show that the distribution of the bulk of $^{56}$Ni can be represented approximately by a sphere of $^{56}$Ni with a velocity of 1500 km s$^{-1}$, which is shifted towards the far hemisphere by about 400 km s$^{-1}$. The fine structure of the H$\alpha$ at the photospheric epoch reminiscent of the "Bochum event" in SN 1987A is analysed . The late time spectra show a dramatic transformation of the [O I] 6300 \AA line profile between days 465 and 510, which we interpret as an effect of dust condensation during this period. Late time photometry supports the dust formation scenario after day 465. The [O I] line profile suggests that the dust occupies a sphere with velocity $\approx 800$ km s$^{-1}$ and optical depth $\gg10$. The plateau brightness and duration combined with the expansion velocity suggest a presupernova radius of $120-150 R_{\odot}$, ejecta mass of $10-11 M_{\odot}$ and explosion energy of $(0.5-1)\times10^{51}$ erg. The ejecta mass combined with the neutron star and a conservative assumption about mass loss implies the main sequence progenitor of $M_{\rm ms}\approx 12-14 M_{\odot}$. From the [O I] 6300,6364 \AA doublet luminosity we infer the oxygen mass to be a factor four lower than in SN 1987A which is consistent with the estimated SN 1999em progenitor mass . We note a "second-plateau" behaviour of the light curve after the main plateau at the beginning of the radioactive tail. This feature seems to be common to SNe IIP with low $^{56}$Ni mass., Comment: 20 pages, 22 figures and 5 tables. To appear in MNRAS (accepted)