Dust Formation in the Ejecta of Two Peculiar Supernovae
In the Fall of 2006 two supernovae were discovered that have changed some ideas about stellar evolution of massive stars. SN 2006gy was an extremely luminous event with spectroscopic properties indicating an LBV progenitor. Its high luminosity may be powered by a pair-instability supernova, possibly the first observed. SN 2006jc, spectroscopically, was very peculiar, with narrow He lines, indicating circumstellar interaction with a He-rich medium. Adding to the intrigue, two years before the supernova, it was observed that the progenitor experienced a luminous, eta Car-like outburst. In the months following the explosion, the spectra of the object changed dramatically, indicating dust formation, the first example of dust formation in a type Ib supernova. I will discuss recent results for both SNe and their implications.