Light Curves of Supernovae

Abstract

Although emerging from a range of progenitor stars and the product of different explosion mechanisms the light curves of the various supernova types are shaped mainly by radioactive power. Core-collapse supernovae have in addition early peaks from shock breakout with a subsequent cooling phase and massive extended stars a recombination (plateau) phase. Variations occur mostly due to differences of the progenitor stars. While there appears to be a fair understanding of the light curves of SNell, new wrinkles are emerging for SNela. The photometry of SNe lb and SNe Ic remains unsatisfactory.