Intermediate luminosity optical transient
An explosive stellar event between nova and supernova brightness.
An Intermediate Luminosity Optical Transient (ILOT) is an explosive stellar event with an absolute magnitude between that of a classical nova (M ~ −8) and a supernova (M ~ −17), a range spanning a factor of nearly 4000 in luminosity. The term was introduced in a 2009 paper discussing the nova-like event NGC 300 OT2008-1. ILOTs encompass a wide variety of objects, including luminous red novae from stellar mergers, some luminous blue variables like η Carinae, and objects interpreted as failed supernovae. The common mechanism is a rapid, large transfer of mass from a star or planet to a companion star.
Quick Facts
- Absolute magnitude range
- −8 to −17
- Luminosity factor across range
- nearly 4000
- First use of term
- 2009
- Example object
- NGC 300 OT2008-1
Facts from the source article.
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