Description:

Speaker: Dr. Conor Omand, Liverpool John Moores University

Title: Multiwavelength Signals from Magnetar-Driven Supernovae

Abstract: Magnetars are neutron stars with extremely high magnetic fields, and can lose rotational energy extremely quickly. Rapidly rotating, highly energetic magnetars are thought to be the potential power sources of multiple types of transients, including superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) and broad-lined Ic supernovae (Ic-BL SNe). By using the observed multiwavelength signal from these transients, we can get information about the properties of the magnetar, its wind nebula, the surrounding environment, and the progenitor star(s). I will present an overview on how we model various different signals that can arise in a magnetar-driven transient, including radio emission, infrared emission, and differences in light curves and optical spectra. I will also show that combining models and observations of different signals on different timescales can give much more information than any signal alone, and this information should be able to give us unprecedented insight into the early lives of these energetic magnetars.