| Abstract | The bolometric light curve of a Type Ia supernova is reconstructed from UBVRI photometry and integrated spectral scans. This is compared with the light curve calculated for a carbon deflagration modeled as a core of radioactive Ni-56 surrounded by partially burned material. It is found that no satisfactory fit to the data can be obtained because the predicted luminosity declines too slowly. This is because the blanket of partially burned material absorbs the radioactive decay energy very efficiently. The light curve is successfully reproduced by a more realistic model of the carbon deflagration which takes into account the nonradioactive neutronized material present at the center of the explosion. These calculations emphasize the importance of this hole in the distribution of radioactive material and thereby show that the light curve can be used to constrain the conditions in the white dwarf at the time of ignition of the supernova explosion. |
