DRAFT
2020-03-25 09:54:59
Type: Object/s-Discovery/Classification
Pan-STARRS Search for Kilonovae: discovery of an intrinsically faint transient (AT2020eyx) in CGCG 077-034 (194 Mpc)
Authors: K. W. Smith, S. J. Smartt (QUB), K. C. Chambers, M. Huber (IfA, Hawaii), S. Srivastav, O. McBrien, D. R. Young, J. Gillanders, D. O'Neill, P. Clark, 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 with Pan-STARRS2 of an intrinsically faint transient PS20ahz (AT2020eyx) in the host galaxy CGCG 077-034, at a redshift of z = 0.045, or d = 194 Mpc (from NED). Its discovery magnitude (MJD = 58931.46) is w = 20.12 +/- 0.08, and hence an absolute magnitude of M_w = -16.43 +/- 0.08.

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 with Pan-STARRS2 of an intrinsically faint transient PS20ahz (AT2020eyx) in the host galaxy CGCG 077-034, at a redshift of z = 0.045 or d = 194 Mpc (from NED).  The transient was discovered at MJD 58931.46 == 2020-03-23.46, at m_w = 20.12 +/- 0.08. It is offset from the host by 12.58" S, 6.50" E (a projected 12.6 kpc radius from the galaxy centre). At this distance the absolute magnitude is M_w = -16.43 (assuming m-M = 36.50 and foreground extinction of A_r = 0.11). Spectroscopic classification is encouraged. A finder is attached.

These discoveries are a byproduct of the Pan-STARRS NEO survey observations supported by the NASA Grants, including No. NNX14AM74G issued through the SSO Near Earth Object Observations Program.

 

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 2020eyx [PS20ahz] 15:11:14.201 +11:21:52.76 0.045 15:11:14.207 +11:21:52.86

Comments