Exploring Cosmic Neighbourhoods of Superluminous Supernovae

📖 Project Description

Superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) are exceptionally bright explosions, outshining typical core-collapse supernovae by a factor of 100. However, they are incredibly rare, occurring only in about 1 out of 1,000 to 10,000 core-collapse events.

Studies suggest that SLSNe prefer host galaxies with characteristics such as low metallicity, high specific star formation rates, and interactions with neighbouring galaxies. These factors may contribute to the inflow of low-metallicity gas, creating ideal conditions for magnetar formation—believed to be a potential power source of SLSNe.

This summer project aims to investigate the environments of SLSNe by analysing deep imaging data from the DESI Legacy Survey and Subaru HSC. The goal is to identify whether SLSNe host galaxies have neighbouring companions and compare these findings with other transient host populations, such as:

• Gamma-ray burst (GRB) host galaxies
• Core-collapse supernova (CCSN) host galaxies
• Type Ia supernova host galaxies

By exploring these environments, we hope to gain insights into the unique conditions that give rise to these extraordinary cosmic events.