JWST spectroscopy of SN 2010da/NGC 300 ULX-1: a surviving star hidden by dust
SN 2010da / NGC 300 ULX-1 的 JWST 光谱:被尘埃隐藏的幸存恒星
We present new James Webb Space Telescope (<inline-formula><tex-math>$JWST$</tex-math></inline-formula>) NIRSpec and MIRI integral-field spectroscopy of the remarkable system SN 2010da/NGC 300 ULX-1, the only known ultraluminous X-ray source powered by a neutron star with a supergiant donor. Our new data, taken in 2024 November, reveal that the optical and near-infrared counterpart has dramatically faded since 2018 and no longer exhibits molecular absorption features characteristic of a red supergiant. Instead, the spectral energy distribution (SED) shows the donor has returned to its pre-outburst appearance, and is dominated by infrared continuum consistent with an optically thick warm (<inline-formula><tex-math>$\approx$</tex-math></inline-formula>900 K) dust shell. The bolometric luminosity indicates the presence of a surviving luminous source with <inline-formula><tex-math>$\log (L/\mathrm{ L}_\odot)$</tex-math></inline-formula> = 4.11<inline-formula><tex-math>$\pm$</tex-math></inline-formula>0.02. Radiative transfer modelling of the mid-infrared SED reveals a broad emission feature peaking near <inline-formula><tex-math>$\sim$</tex-math></inline-formula>11 μm, best reproduced by silicon carbide (SiC) dust grains, a composition typically associated with carbon-rich evolved stars. We rule out a failed supernova scenario, which would predict a large drop in luminosity and continued fading. Given the association of SiC dust with asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, we suggest the donor star may be an AGB star that has survived and is now heavily enshrouded ─ having returned to a dust-obscured state following a transient post-outburst phase in which the system appeared as a red supergiant. We propose a revised evolutionary timeline in which the 2010 outburst initiated sustained super-Eddington accretion and temporarily altered the circumstellar environment. These observations provide rare insight into eruptive mass-loss, dust formation, and binary interaction in a unique system.
展开 ▾首次获得该系统 5–28 μm 连续光谱,通过 DUSTY 模型识别出 ~11 μm 碳化硅宽发射特征;排除了‘失败超新星’假设,提出伴星经历暂现红超巨星阶段后重新被尘埃遮蔽的演化图景,为理解大质量双星爆发性物质抛射与尘埃形成提供了关键观测约束。
SN 2010da/NGC 300 ULX-1 是迄今唯一由中子星吸积驱动的超巨星 ULX,其 2018 年光谱显示典型的红超巨星分子吸收特征 Heida+ 2019,而爆发前的红外光度指向一个尘埃壳层包裹的源 Lau+ 2016 Villar+ 2016。近期光学监测发现源急剧变暗,促使 Chené+ 2025 提出伴星可能已无声坍缩为黑洞的‘失败超新星’设想。本文的 JWST 光谱表明源的光度与爆前一致,且无恒星光球吸收线,反而由约 900 K 尘埃连续谱主导并展现 SiC 发射特征,强烈支持伴星是幸存且重新被尘埃遮蔽的富碳星(如 AGB 星)。该发现将这类系统的演化与周期性喷发 impostor 事件联系起来 Aghakhanloo+ 2023a,暗示双星相互作用可触发包层暂现膨胀、尘埃清除与再形成循环。未来更高灵敏度、高空间分辨率的中红外监测与尘埃化学模型将有助于验证这一图景,并限制该双星系统的最终命运。
预印本 2026-04-15 · 刊出 2026-06-08 · 收录 2026-07-22