Supernova explosions in active galactic nuclear discs

Active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are prominent environments for stellar capture, growth, and formation. These environments may catalyse stellar mergers and explosive transients, such as thermonuclear and core-collapse supernovae (SNe). SN explosions in AGN discs generate strong shocks, leading to unique observable signatures. We develop an analytical model that follows the evolution of the shock propagating in the disc until it eventually breaks out. We derive the peak luminosity, bolometric light curve, and breakout time. The peak luminosities may exceed 10(45) erg s(-1) and last from hours to days. The brightest explosions occur in regions of reduced density: either off-plane, or in discs around low-mass central black holes (similar to 10(6) M-circle dot), or in starved subluminous AGNs. Explosions in the latter two sites are easier to observe due to a reduced AGN background luminosity. We perform suites of 1D Lagrangian radiative hydrodynamics snec code simulations to validate our results and obtain the luminosity in different bands, and 2D axisymmetric Eulerian hydrodynamics code hormone simulations to study the morphology of the ejecta and its deviation from spherical symmetry. The observed signature is expected to be a bright blue, UV or X-ray flare on top of the AGN luminosity from the initial shock breakout, while the subsequent red part of the light curve will largely be unobservable. We estimate the upper limit for the total event rate to be R less than or similar to 100 yr(-1) Gpc(-3) for optimal conditions and discuss the large uncertainties in this estimate. Future high-cadence transient searches may reveal these events. Some existing tidal disruption event candidates may originate from AGN SNe.

Automated summary

Active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are important environments for stellar events such as mergers and explosions. Our analytical model studies shock evolution and breakout characteristics in AGN discs. Bright explosions occur in lower density regions and may be observable in future high-cadence transient searches.