Abstract

Characterizing Infrared Transients with JWST

Ryan Lau (Caltech/JPL)

SPIRITS Collaboration

Spitzer is pioneering a systematic exploration of the dynamic infrared sky. Our SPitzer InfraRed Intensive Transients Survey (SPIRITS) has discovered 147 explosive transients and 1948 eruptive variables. Of these 147 infrared transients, 35 are so red that they are devoid of optical counterparts and we call them SPRITEs (eSPecially Red Intermediate−luminosity Transient Events). The nature of SPRITEs is unknown and progress on deciphering the explosion physics depends on mid−IR spectroscopy. Multiple physical origins have been proposed including stellar merger, birth of a massive binary, electron capture supernova and stellar black−hole formation. As the SPRITEs evolve and cool, the bulk of the emission shifts to longer wavelengths. JWST/MIRI will be the only available platform in the near future capable of characterizing SPRITEs out to 28um. Specifically, mid-IR photometry and low resolution spectroscopy will determine dust mass, grain chemistry, ice abundance and energetics to disentangle the proposed origins.

Talk