Wednesday

Type Iax supernovae (SNe Iax) are an extreme class of thermonuclear explosions related to type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). Although the exact origin of SNe Ia remains unclear, significant progress has been made in our understanding of the explosion mechanisms and progenitor scenarios leading to SNe Iax – despite their rarity. Specifically, observations of the environments in which SNe Iax occur suggests that they are consistent with resulting from binary systems containing a white dwarf and helium star companion. The presence of helium in SNe Iax is therefore an important constraint on the progenitor system. Here, I will present an investigation of potential helium signatures in SNe Iax. I will show helium can be detected in at least one object, however the large helium mass required may be difficult to reconcile with current theories. I will also discuss the prospect of observing helium in future objects and what observations are necessary for robust detections.