# Supernova rates in Abell galaxy clusters and implications for metallicity

## The project and main scientific objectives

We have used the Wise Observatory 1m telescope to monitor monthly a sample of 163 rich (richness class $`R>0`$) Abell galaxy clusters, with medium redshift ($`0.06<z<0.2`$) northern declination $`(\delta >0)`$ and small angular size $`(r<20^{})`$. We have also observed ”blank” flanking fields for a sub-sample of the clusters. These will be used to study the cluster vs. field SN rates, and to estimate the luminosity contributed by the cluster in each field. We have used unfiltered (”clear”) observations to achieve maximum sensitivity, and have a characteristic limiting magnitude of $`R22`$. Variable objects are discovered by image subtraction. New subtraction methods have been developed for use in this project (see fig. 1).   

Our main scientific goal is to derive from our data the SN rate as a function of various parameters such as host galaxy type and cluster environment: position within the cluster, cluster richness and cluster vs. field. SN rates can then be used to determine the current and past star formation rates in galaxy clusters mdp . Our measured SN rates can replace the assumed rates used so far in studies of metal abundances in the intracluster gas. We also intend to study the rate, distribution and properties of intergalactic SNe in galaxy clusters. A candidate intergalactic SN we have discovered, SN 1998fc (see fig. 3), will be discussed below. Our search is also sensitive to other optical transients, such as AGNs in the clusters and behind them, flares from tidal disruption of stars by dormant massive black holes in galactic nuclei and GRB afterglows. We may also detect the gravitational lensing effect of the clusters on background SNe kb .

## First results

Our program has already discovered 11 spectroscopically confirmed SNe at $`z=0.10.24,`$ (see table 1 and fig. 2) and several unconfirmed SNe. We have also detected variable stellar objects (some of which are AGN) and dozens of asteroids.

## Intergalactic SNe and enhanced central metal abundances in clusters

The existence of a diffuse population of intergalactic stars is supported by a growing body of observational evidence such as intergalactic planetary nebulae in the Fornax and Virgo clusters thw  arn  ciar  fre , and intergalactic red giant stars in Virgo ftv . Recent imaging of the Coma cluster reveals low surface brightness emission from a diffuse population of stars gw , the origin of which is attributed to galaxy disruption dmh  mor . Since type Ia SNe are known to occur in all environments, there is no obvious reason to assume that such events do not happen within the intergalactic stellar population. SN 1998fc may be such an event. The intergalactic stellar population is centrally distributed dub . Therefore, metals produced by intergalactic Ia SNe can provide an elegant explanation for the central enhancement of metal abundances with type Ia characteristics, recently detected in galaxy clusters dw .

### SN 1998fc - An intergalactic SN candidate in Abell 403

SN 1998fc was detected near the cD galaxy of Abell 403 gm1 , and was spectroscopically confirmed as a type Ia SN at the cluster redshift gm2  flr . The most likely host for this SN, the cD galaxy, is very distant - at least 78 Kpc away. This may be an intergalactic SN whose progenitor star was a member of the diffuse intergalactic stellar population. Alternatively, the host may be a faint dwarf galaxy. The distribution of ”hostless” SNe is expected to be different if the progenitors are members of the intergalactic population, centered near the cluster core dub , or members of dwarf galaxies, more abundant in the outskirts of galaxy clusters phi . Therefore, the nature of such objects could be resolved with larger number statistics. In any event, the number of SNe with undetected hosts relative to the total number of cluster SNe can put an upper limit on the intergalactic stellar fraction.