DRAFT
2021-03-20 10:39:10
Type: Object/s-Discovery/Classification
Pan-STARRS Search for Kilonovae: discovery of an intrinsically faint transient (AT2021fwa) in WISEA J130029.98+071714.2 (185 Mpc)
Authors: K. W. Smith, S. J. Smartt (QUB), K. C. Chambers, M. Huber (IfA, Hawaii), O. R. McBrien, S. Srivastav, D. R. Young, J. Gillanders, S. Sim (QUB), T. de Boer, J. Bulger, J. Fairlamb, C.-C. Lin, T. Lowe, E. Magnier, A. Schultz, R. J. Wainscoat, M. Willman (IfA), T.-W. Chen (Stockholm), D. E. Wright (University of Minnesota), C. Stubbs (Harvard), A. Rest (STScI)
Source Group: Pan-STARRS
Abstract:
We are carrying out the "Pan-STARRS Search for Kilonovae" which is a focused search for intrinsically faint transients, or rapidly evolving transients in galaxies which are closer than 200 Mpc in the ongoing Pan-STARRS Near Earth Object surveys (see Smartt et al. AstroNote 2019-48 for details).  Here we report the discovery of an intrinsically faint transient PS21bvk (AT2021fwa) in the host galaxy WISEA J130029.98+071714.2, at a redshift of z = 0.042, or d = 185 Mpc (from NED). Its discovery magnitude (MJD = 59288.42) is w = 21.24 +/- 0.13, and hence an absolute magnitude of M_w = -15.17 +/- 0.13. The last non-detection by PS1 was on MJD 59261.62.

We are carrying out the "Pan-STARRS Search for Kilonovae" which is a focused search for intrinsically faint transients, or rapidly evolving transients in galaxies which are closer than 200 Mpc in the ongoing Pan-STARRS Near Earth Object surveys (see Smartt et al. AstroNote 2019-48 for details). 

In normal survey mode, Pan-STARRS takes 4 x 45s exposures in w, i or z each night reaching 5 sigma magnitudes of w<22, i<21 and z<20.5 in each frame (see Chambers et al. 2016, 1612.05560). 

We report the discovery of an intrinsically faint transient PS21bvk (AT2021fwa) in the host galaxy WISEA J130029.98+071714.2, at a redshift of z = 0.042 or d = 185 Mpc (from NED).  The transient was discovered at MJD 59288.42 == 2021-03-15.42, at m_w = 21.24 +/- 0.13. It is offset from the host by 7.76" S, 2.82" W (a projected 6.8 kpc radius from the galaxy centre). At this distance the absolute magnitude is M_w = -15.17 (assuming m-M = 36.33 and foreground extinction of A_r = 0.08).  The last non-detection by PS1 forced photometry was on MJD 59261.62 (2021-02-16.62).  Spectroscopic classification is encouraged.

We will release AstroNotes for all these candidates and encourage spectroscopic classification or photometric follow-up.  A finder is attached. 

The discoveries from this program are a byproduct of the Pan-STARRS NEO survey observations. Operation of the Pan-STARRS1 and Pan-STARRS2 telescopes is primarily supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under Grant No. NNX12AR65G and Grant No. NNX14AM74G issued through the SSO Near Earth Object Observations Program. Data are processed at Queen's University Belfast enabled through the STFC grants ST/P000312/1 and ST/T000198/1. 

 

Show current TNS values
Catalog Name Reported RA Reported DEC Reported Obj-Type Reported Redshift Host Name Host Redshift Remarks TNS RA TNS DEC TNS Obj-Type TNS Redshift
TNS 2021fwa [PS21bvk] 13:00:29.833 +07:17:07.87 WISEA J130029.98+071714.2 0.041836 13:00:29.833 +07:17:07.87 SN II 0.04157

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