Dust-Enshrouded Eruptions from Planets to Supermassive Black Holes

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The talk provides valuable insights into the use of infrared surveys for discovering transients, particularly failed supernovae. The argumentation is solid, based on observational data and comparisons with theoretical models. The discovery of the M31 object is compelling, with detailed light curves and SED fitting supporting the interpretation of a stellar implosion. The speaker effectively demonstrates the importance of infrared observations in revealing phenomena that are otherwise hidden by dust.

The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on infrared observations of dust-enshrouded eruptions across stellar and supermassive black hole scales.

8/10

The talk is based on peer-reviewed research and data from established missions (NEOWISE, HST, JWST), presented by an expert in the field. The methodology is sound, and the results are consistent with current astrophysical understanding.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 02:00Introduction to the talk and the importance of time-domain astronomy.
• 05:00Overview of the WISE Transients Project and NEOWISE data reprocessing.
• 10:00Discussion on the challenge of finding failed supernovae and the role of infrared surveys.
• 15:00Discovery of the M31 failed supernova candidate and its light curve.
• 20:00Analysis of the M31 object's SED and its classification as a yellow supergiant.
• 25:00Interpretation of the event as a stellar implosion and black hole formation.
• 30:00Future prospects: SPHEREx, Roman Space Telescope, and ground-based surveys.

• NEOWISE — Mentioned as the primary survey used for the transient search.
• Hubble Space Telescope — Used for archival imaging and follow-up observations.
• James Webb Space Telescope — Used for mid-infrared observations of the M31 source.

• Adams et al. (2017) — Discusses the search for failed supernovae and the disappearance of red supergiants.
• Gerke et al. (2015) — Reports the discovery of a disappearing red supergiant in NGC 6946.

• Some studies suggest alternative explanations for disappearing stars — There is ongoing debate about whether the disappearance of massive stars is always due to failed supernovae or could be caused by other phenomena such as extreme mass loss or dust obscuration.