Long-term evolution of the SN 2009ip-like transient SN 2016cvk

K. Matilainen; E. Kankare; S. Mattila; A. Reguitti; G. Pignata; J. Brimacombe; A. Pastorello; M. Fraser; S. J. Brennan; J. P. Anderson; B. Ayala-Inostroza; R. Cartier; P. Charalampopoulos; T. -W. Chen; M. Gromadzki; C. P. Gutierrez; C. Inserra; T. E. Müller-Bravo; M. Nicholl; J. L. Prieto; F. Ragosta; T. M. Reynolds; I. Salmaso; D. R. Young

arXiv · 2509.02125

Long-term evolution of the SN 2009ip-like transient SN 2016cvk

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Abstract

The interacting transient SN 2016cvk (ASASSN-16jt) is a member of the peculiar SN 2009ip-like events. We present our follow-up data and aim to draw conclusions about the physical nature of the progenitor system. Our spectrophotometric data set of SN 2016cvk covers the ultraviolet, optical, and near-infrared wavelength region extending to +1681 d from the light curve peak; the data is analysed and compared to other SN 2009ip-like transients. Archival data reveals pre-outbursts of the progenitor with the first detection at -1219 d. The light curve evolution of SN 2016cvk consists of two consecutive luminous events A and B with peak magnitudes of M_V < -15.6 and M_r = -18.3 mag, respectively. The spectra are dominated by Balmer emission lines that have a complex, multi-component evolution similar to other SN 2009ip-like targets. SN 2016cvk is among the first detected SN 2009ip-like events that show early `flash ionisation' features of C III, N III, and He II, lasting for 16 +/- 5 d. Our late-time +405 d spectrum shows forbidden [Ca II], [Fe II], and [O I] features with the latter detected particularly clearly for a SN 2009ip-like event. The evolution of SN 2016cvk is similar to other SN 2009ip-like transients, with some uncommon traits. The lack of a double-peaked structure in the Balmer lines is likely caused by differences in the circumstellar medium structure or viewing angle. The flash features in the early spectra propose abundances consistent with a red, yellow, or blue supergiant progenitor rather than for example a luminous blue variable. The detection of [O I] in the +405 d spectrum suggests possible evidence of nucleosynthesised material generated in a SN explosion.

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K. Matilainen, E. Kankare, S. Mattila, A. Reguitti, G. Pignata, J. Brimacombe, A. Pastorello, M. Fraser, S. J. Brennan, J. P. Anderson, B. Ayala-Inostroza, R. Cartier, P. Charalampopoulos, T. -W. Chen, M. Gromadzki, C. P. Gutierrez, C. Inserra, T. E. Müller-Bravo, M. Nicholl, J. L. Prieto, F. Ragosta, T. M. Reynolds, I. Salmaso, D. R. Young. 2025-09-02. Long-term evolution of the SN 2009ip-like transient SN 2016cvk. https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.02125

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