A Radio and X-Ray Study of Historical Supernovae in M83

Abstract

We report the results of 15 years of radio observations of the six historical supernovae (SNe) in M83 using the Very Large Array. We note the near-linear decline in radio emission from SN 1957D, a Type II SN, which remains a nonthermal radio emitter. The measured flux densities from SNe 1923A and 1950B have flattened as they begin to fade below detectable limits; they are also Type II SNe. The luminosities for these three SNe are comparable with the radio luminosities of other decades-old SNe at similar epochs. SNe 1945B, 1968L, and 1983N were not detected in the most recent observations, and these nondetections are consistent with previous studies. We report the X-ray nondetections of all six historical SNe using the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, consistent with previous X-ray searches of other decades-old SNe and low inferred mass-loss rates of the progenitors [M˙~(10-8 Msolar yr-1)(vw/10 km s-1)].