On the Homogeneity of Type Ia Supernovae Light Curves

A self-similar, hydrodynamic model is derived and used to generate SNe light-curves. It is found that the temporal development of the SN light-curve is governed by a ‘dynamic time’ parameter, and that the observed near-identical, normalized light-curves of Type Ia SNe suggest that they have evolved from progenitor stars of the same central density. Fitting the model parameters to observed Type Ia SNe light-curves suggests that the SNe have originated from the same mass progenitors. The model also provides a theoretical basis for the Phillips observation relating the absolute magnitude of the Type Ia SN to its half-width.