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| Paper: |
Polarized Lines in Supernovae: Observations and Modeling |
| Volume: |
449, Astronomical Polarimetry 2008: Science from Small to Large Telescopes |
| Page: |
416 |
| Authors: |
Hoffman, J. L. |
| Abstract: |
Like emission-line stars, supernovae whose spectra show strong line emission allow us to probe their circumstellar environments through analysis of these lines' profiles in direct and polarized light. The Hα line in particular is often highly polarized in these supernovae, and analysis of its polarization profile can provide valuable clues to the geometrical structure of both the ejecta and any circumstellar material. Since the Astronomical Polarimetry: Current Status and Future Directions conference in 2004, spectropolarimetric studies of supernovae have become more common, often revealing complex multi-axis structures within the supernova ejecta and circumstellar media. Spectropolarimetric analysis helps constrain the viewing angle for these objects, describe their three-dimensional morphologies, and probe the nature of their progenitors' stellar winds. The combination of spectropolarimetric observations of supernovae with detailed three-dimensional modeling can help guide future observations, constrain explosion models, and link supernova types with their massive stellar progenitors. |
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