James Webb Space Telescope Feed Post

A JWST Medium Resolution MIRI Spectrum and Models of the Type Ia supernova 2021aefx at +415 d

A stacked composite image of NGC 1566 with photometric data obtained with JWST’s MIRI instruments, individual bands are published in (Chen et al., 2023). Here, SN 2021aefx is at a phases of +357 d past B-band maximum and is highlighted in the white circle. North is 1.5° counter-clockwise from left. An inset around the SN is shown in the bottom right corner. Abstract: We present a JWST MIRI/MRS spectrum (5-27 µm) of the Type Ia supernova (SN Ia), SN 2021aefx at +415 days past B-band maximum. The spectrum, which was obtained during the iron-dominated nebular phase, has been analyzed in combination with previous JWST observations of SN 2021aefx, to provide the first JWST time series analysis of an SN Ia. We find the temporal evolution of the [Co III] 11.888 µm feature directly traces the decay of 56Co. The spectra, line profiles, and their evolution are analyzed with off-center delayed-detonation models. Best fits were obtained with White Dwarf (WD) central densities of ?c=0.9-1.1×109g cm-3, a WD mass of MWD=1.33-1.35M?, a WD magnetic field of ˜106G, and an off-center deflagration-to-detonation transition at ˜ 0.5 M? seen opposite to the line of sight of the observer. The inner electron capture core is dominated by energy deposition from ?-rays whereas a broader region is dominated by positron deposition, placing SN 2021aefx at +415 d in the transitional phase of the evolution to the positron-dominated regime. The formerly 'flat-tilted' profile at 9 µm now has significant contribution from [Ni IV], [Fe II], and [Fe III] and less from [Ar III], which alters the shape of the feature as positrons excite mostly the low-velocity Ar. Overall, the strength of the stable Ni features in the spectrum is dominated by positron transport rather than the Ni mass. Based on multi-dimensional models, our analysis strongly supports a single-spot, close-to-central ignition with an indication for a pre-existing turbulent velocity field, and excludes a multiple-spot, off-center ignition.