PS1-10bzj : a fast, hydrogen-poor superluminous supernova in a metal-poor host galaxy

Abstract

We present observations and analysis of PS1-10bzj, a superluminous supernova (SLSN) discovered in the Pan-STARRS Medium Deep Survey at a redshift z = 0.650. Spectroscopically, PS1-10bzj is similar to the hydrogen-poor SLSNe 2005ap and SCP 06F6, though with a steeper rise and lower peak luminosity (Mbol ≃ −21.4 mag) than previous events. We construct a bolometric light curve, and show that while PS1-10bzj's energetics were less extreme than previous events, its luminosity still cannot be explained by radioactive nickel decay alone. We explore both a magnetar spin-down and circumstellar interaction scenario and find that either can fit the data. PS1-10bzj is located in the Extended Chandra Deep Field South and the host galaxy is imaged in a number of surveys, including with the Hubble Space Telescope. The host is a compact dwarf galaxy (MB ≈ −18 mag, diameter ≲ 800 pc), with a low stellar mass (M* ≈ 2.4 × 107 M☉), young stellar population (τ* ≈ 5 Myr), and a star formation rate of ∼2–3 M☉ yr−1. The specific star formation rate is the highest seen in an SLSN host so far (∼100 Gyr−1). We detect the [O iii] λ4363 line, and find a low metallicity: 12 + (O/H) = 7.8 ± 0.2 (≃ 0.1 Z☉). Together, this indicates that at least some of the progenitors of SLSNe come from young, low-metallicity populations.