JWST Nebular Spectroscopy of SN 2023qov: Circumstellar Dust Emission in a Normal Type Ia Supernova
Accepted to ApJ arXivSN 2023qov is a normal Type Ia supernova with circumstellar dust emission visible in its NIRSpec and MIRI JWST nebular spectra. This is shown in the plot below, the excess begins redward of 3 microns.
In Macrie et al. (in review), we interpret this emission as light from the SN absorbed and re-emitted by circumstellar dust, consistent with an infrared echo. The dust is likely related to the progenitor or explosion, primarily carbonaceous in composition, located within 1 light year of the supernova.
Interactive Visualizations
See the different MIR features and their velocity features by hovering over them in the interactive plot below.
The line profiles above can be used to reconstruct the ejecta of the SNe. We can do so with Firefly, an open-source tool for the fast visualization of 3D data. Only the velocity along the line of sight can be measured, so in the following visualization the ejecta are only offcenter along that axis. Further, the intermediate mass elements are shown as a stratified shell without the toroidal enhancement discussed in Macrie et al. 2026.
We use Firefly to reconstruct the ejecta in 3D below. Scroll to zoom in and out. Use the Particles menu to identify and select individual ions, and use the General/Camera tab to reset your camera position if needed.
Further, we note that the Co-II species FWHM is likely underpredicted, as it should be outside of the Ni species, Fe FWHM is likely overpredicted, and S is not well constrained. We attriubute this to heavy blending in those regions, whereas other species have features in other parts of the spectrum which can provide stronger constraint.
Outreach
Under construction