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Spectrophotometry of Supernovae and their Remnants

Citation

Kirshner, Robert Paul (1975) Spectrophotometry of Supernovae and their Remnants. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/YN9G-P338. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-04092004-111020

Abstract

Spectrophotometry of extragalactic supernovae shortly after discovery, and of galactic supernova remnants has been used to derive the masses, temeratures[sic], compositions, and distances of supernovae.

The Crab Nebula is shown to have a mass of ionized hydrogen in excess of 0.3 M, but no enrichment of oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur. The Cygnus Loop is shown to emit [Fe XIV], indicating gas at 2 x 106 °K: this establishes the thermal nature of the x-ray emission, and casts doubt on the Loop's size and distance.

Type II supernovae are shown to be consistent with a few solar masses of material at cosmic abundance. Their distances are found without reference to any other astronomical distance through a model of the expansion. Type I supernovae are shown to consist of about 1 solar mass of matter that may be 20 times enriched in iron, if the identification of [Fe II] lines at late stages is correct.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Astronomy
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
Major Option:Astronomy
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Oke, J. Beverley
Group:Astronomy Department
Thesis Committee:
  • Oke, J. Beverly
Defense Date:26 July 1974
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NSFUNSPECIFIED
Virginia Steele Scott FundUNSPECIFIED
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-04092004-111020
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-04092004-111020
DOI:10.7907/YN9G-P338
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://doi.org/10.1086/153248DOIArticle adapted for Chapter 2.
https://doi.org/10.1086/153527DOIArticle adapted for Chapter 5.
https://doi.org/10.1086/181161DOIArticle adapted for Chapter 6.
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Kirshner, Robert Paul0000-0002-1966-3942
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:1316
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:14 Apr 2004
Last Modified:29 Feb 2020 02:07

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