The radio lightcurve of SN 2008iz in M82 revealed by Urumqi observations

¹ Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie, Auf dem Hügel 69, 53121 Bonn, Germany e-mail: marchili@mpifr-bonn.mpg.de
² Urumqi Observatory, the National Astronomical Observatories, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, PR China
³ Jodrell Bank Center for Astrophysics, School of Physics and Astronomy, Alan Turing Building, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK

Received: 17 August 2009
Accepted: 29 September 2009

Abstract

We report on a set of 5 GHz Urumqi observations of the galaxy M82, made between August 2005 and May 2009. From the resulting flux densities, we detect a strong flare, starting in March or April and peaking in June 2008. We identify this flare with supernova SN 2008iz. The time sampling of the radio light curve allows us to obtain information on the precursor mass-loss rate, the strength of the magnetic field in the radiating region, the explosion date, and the deceleration of the expanding shock. We also check the possible contribution of synchrotron self absorption to the radio light curve and compare our model with other observations of the supernova at 22 GHz.