Type Ia Supernova Sub-classes and Progenitor Origin

Understand

This paper presents a short review on the current state of SN Ia progenitor origin.

• Type Ia supernova explosions are observed to be widely diverse in peak luminosity, lightcurve width and shape, spectral features, and host stellar population environment.
• In the last decade alone, theoretical simulations and observational data have come together to seriously challenge the long-standing paradigm that all SNe Ia arise from explosions of Chandrasekhar mass white dwarfs.
• In this review I highlight some of the major developments (and changing views) of our understanding of the nature of SN Ia progenitor systems.