Ultraviolet Light Curves of Supernovae with Swift Uvot

Understand

We present ultravioliet (UV) observations of supernovae (SNe) obtained with the UltraViolet/Optical Telescope (UVOT) on board the Swift spacecraft.

• This is the largest sample of UV light curves from any single instrument and covers all major SN types and most subtypes.
• The UV light curves of SNe Ia are fairly homogenous while SNe Ib/c and IIP show more variety in their light curve shapes.
• The UV-optical colors clearly differentiate SNe Ia and IIP, particularly at early times.