Asymmetric Explosion of Type Ia Supernovae as Seen from Near Infrared Observations

Abstract

We present near-infrared spectra of late phase (>200 d) Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) taken at the Subaru telescope. The [Fe II] line of SN 2003hv shows a clear flat-topped feature, while that of SN 2005W show less prominent flatness. In addition, a large shift in their line center, varying from -3000 to 1000 (km/s) with respect to the host galaxies, is seen. Such a shift suggests the occurrence of an off-center, non-spherical explosion in the central region, and provides important, new constraints on the explosion models of SNe Ia.

8 pages, 10 figures. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal (Letters); some corrections done