Artículo de revista
The Emergence of the Infrared Transient VVV-WIT-06
Fecha
2017Registro en:
Astrophysical Journal Letters, Volumen 849, Issue 2, 2017
20418213
20418205
10.3847/2041-8213/aa9374
Autor
Minniti, D.
Saito, R. K.
Forster, Francisco
Pignata Libralato, Giuliano
Ivanov, V. D.
Lucas, P. W.
Beamin, J. C.
Borissova, J.
Catelan, M.
González, O. A.
Hempel, M.
Hsiao, E. Y.
Kurtev, R.
Majaess, D.
Masetti, N.
Morrell, N. I.
Phillips, M. M.
Pullen, J. B.
Rejkuba, M.
Smith, L.
Surot, F.
Valenti, E.
Zoccali, M.
Institución
Resumen
We report the discovery of an enigmatic large-amplitude (DKs > 10.5 mag) transient event in near-IR data
obtained by the VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) ESO Public Survey. The object (designated VVV-WIT-
06) is located at R.A.=17:07:18.917, decl.=−39:06:26.45 (J2000), corresponding to Galactic coordinates
l=347.14539, b=0.88522. It exhibits a clear eruption, peaking at Ks=9 mag during 2013 July and fading to
Ks ~ 16.5 in 2017. Our late near-IR spectra show post-outburst emission lines, including some broad emission
lines (upward of FWHM ~ 3000 km s−1). We estimate a total extinction of AV = 10–15 mag in the surrounding
field, and no progenitor was observed in ZYJHKs images obtained during 2010–2012 (down to Ks > 18.5mag).
Subsequent deep near-IR imaging and spectroscopy, in concert with the available multiband photometry, indicate
that VVV-WIT-06 may be either: (i) the closest Type I SN observed in about 400 years, (ii) an exotic highamplitude
nova that would extend the known realm of such objects, or (iii) a stellar merger. In all of these cases,
VVV-WIT-06 is a fascinating and curious astrophysical target under any of the scenarios considered.