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X-Ray, UV, and Optical Observations of Supernova 2006bp with Swift: Detection of Early X-Ray Emission

We present results on the X-ray and optical/UV emission from the type IIP SN 2006bp and the interaction of the SN shock with its environment, obtained with the X-Ray Telescope (XRT) and UV/Optical Telescope (UVOT) on-board the Swift observatory. SN 2006bp is detected in X-rays at a 4.5 sigma level of significance in the merged XRT data from days 1 to 12 after the explosion. If the X-ray luminosity of (1.8+/-0.4)E39 ergs/s is caused by interaction of the SN shock with circumstellar material (CSM), deposited by a stellar wind from the progenitor's companion star, a mass-loss rate of ~E-05 M_sun/yr is inferred. The mass-loss rate is consistent with the non-detection in the radio with the VLA on days 2, 9, and 11 after the explosion and characteristic of a red supergiant progenitor with a mass around 12-15 M_sun prior to the explosion. In combination with a follow-up XMM-Newton observation obtained on day 21 after the explosion, an X-ray rate of decline with index 1.2+/-0.6 is inferred. Since no other SN has been detected in X-rays prior to the optical peak and since type IIP SNe have an extended 'plateau' phase in the optical, we discuss the scenario that the X-rays might be due to inverse Compton scattering of photospheric optical photons off relativistic electrons produced in circumstellar shocks. However, due to the high required value of the Lorentz factor (~10-100) we conclude that Inverse Compton scattering is an unlikely explanation for the observed X-ray emission. The fast evolution of the optical/ultraviolet spectral energy distribution and the spectral changes observed with Swift reveal the onset of metal line-blanketing and cooling of the expanding photosphere during the first few weeks after the outburst.