New Insights into Ejecta Masses of Type Ia Supernovae

Recent research has provided new insights into the ejecta masses of Type Ia supernovae, which are critical for understanding their progenitor systems and explosion mechanisms. The study, titled "Ejecta masses in Type Ia Supernovae -- Implications for the Progenitor and the Explosion Scenario," presents data from 28 recent supernovae, revealing that most exhibit ejecta masses below the Chandrasekhar limit. The mean ejecta mass was found to be approximately 1.1 ± 0.3 solar masses, aligning with predictions from recent sub-Chandrasekhar explosion models.

The findings suggest compatibility with both single and double-degenerate progenitor configurations. Furthermore, the research identifies a subset of supernovae with ejecta masses between 1.2 and 1.5 solar masses, which are consistent with near-Chandrasekhar explosions. The study emphasizes that about half of the observed supernovae could fit into both explosion models, highlighting the complexities in understanding these cosmic events.

This research is significant as it enhances the understanding of the origins of Type Ia supernovae, which are important for measuring cosmic distances and studying the expansion of the universe. The implications of these findings could influence future models of stellar evolution and the dynamics of supernova explosions. The full paper is available for further reading at arXiv:2408.11928.