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A. Gal-Yam

Publications and source records attributed to A. Gal-Yam.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

The progenitor and early evolution of the Type IIb SN 2016gkg

We report initial observations and analysis on the Type IIb SN~2016gkg in the nearby galaxy NGC~613. SN~2016gkg exhibited a clear double-peaked light curve during its early evolution, as evidenced by our intensive photometric follow-up campaign. SN~2016gkg shows strong similarities with other Type IIb SNe, in particular with respect to the \he~emission features observed in both the optical and near infrared. SN~2016gkg evolved faster than the prototypical Type~IIb SN~1993J, with a decline similar to that of SN~2011dh after the first peak. The analysis of archival {\it Hubble Space Telescope} images indicate a pre-explosion source at SN~2016gkg's position, suggesting a progenitor star with a $\sim$mid F spectral type and initial mass $15-20$\msun, depending on the distance modulus adopted for NGC~613. Modeling the temperature evolution within $5\,\rm{days}$ of explosion, we obtain a progenitor radius of $\sim\,48-124$\rsun, smaller than that obtained from the analysis of the pre-explosion images ($240-320$\rsun).

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The Superluminous Transient ASASSN-15lh as a Tidal Disruption Event from a Kerr Black Hole

When a star passes within the tidal radius of a supermassive black hole, it will be torn apart. For a star with the mass of the Sun ($M_\odot$) and a non-spinning black hole with a mass $<10^8 M_\odot$, the tidal radius lies outside the black hole event horizon and the disruption results in a luminous flare. Here we report observations over a period of 10 months of a transient, hitherto interpreted as a superluminous supernova. Our data show that the transient rebrightened substantially in the ultraviolet and that the spectrum went through three different spectroscopic phases without ever becoming nebular. Our observations are more consistent with a tidal disruption event than a superluminous supernova because of the temperature evolution, the presence of highly ionised CNO gas in the line of sight and our improved localisation of the transient in the nucleus of a passive galaxy, where the presence of massive stars is highly unlikely. While the supermassive black hole has a mass $> 10^8 M_\odot$, a star with the same mass as the Sun could be disrupted outside the event horizon if the black hole were spinning rapidly. The rapid spin and high black hole mass can explain the high luminosity of this event.

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Optical photometry and spectroscopy of the low-luminosity, broad-lined Ic supernova iPTF15dld

Core-collapse stripped-envelope supernova (SN) explosions reflect the diversity of physical parameters and evolutionary paths of their massive star progenitors. We have observed the type Ic SN iPTF15dld (z = 0.047), reported by the Palomar Transient Factory. Spectra were taken starting 20 rest-frame days after maximum luminosity and are affected by a young stellar population background. Broad spectral absorption lines associated with the SN are detected over the continuum, similar to those measured for broad-lined, highly energetic SNe Ic. The light curve and maximum luminosity are instead more similar to those of low luminosity, narrow-lined Ic SNe. This suggests a behavior whereby certain highly-stripped-envelope SNe do not produce a large amount of Ni56, but the explosion is sufficiently energetic that a large fraction of the ejecta is accelerated to higher-than-usual velocities. We estimate SN iPTF15dld had a main sequence progenitor of 20-25 Msun, produced a Ni56 mass of ~0.1-0.2 Msun, had an ejecta mass of [2-10] Msun, and a kinetic energy of [1-18] e51 erg.

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The First Circumbinary Planet Found by Microlensing: OGLE-2007-BLG-349L(AB)c

We present the analysis of the first circumbinary planet microlensing event, OGLE-2007-BLG-349. This event has a strong planetary signal that is best fit with a mass ratio of $q \approx 3.4\times10^{-4}$, but there is an additional signal due to an additional lens mass, either another planet or another star. We find acceptable light curve fits with two classes of models: 2-planet models (with a single host star) and circumbinary planet models. The light curve also reveals a significant microlensing parallax effect, which constrains the mass of the lens system to be $M_L \approx 0.7 M_\odot$. Hubble Space Telescope images resolve the lens and source stars from their neighbors and indicate excess flux due to the star(s) in the lens system. This is consistent with the predicted flux from the circumbinary models, where the lens mass is shared between two stars, but there is not enough flux to be consistent with the 2-planet, 1-star models. So, only the circumbinary models are consistent with the HST data. They indicate a planet of mass $m_c = 80\pm 13\,M_\oplus$, orbiting a pair of M-dwarfs with masses of $M_A = 0.41\pm 0.07 M_\odot$ and $M_B = 0.30\pm 0.07 M_\oplus$, which makes this the lowest mass circumbinary planet system known. The ratio of the separation between the planet and the center-of-mass to the separations of the two stars is $\sim 40$, so unlike most of the circumbinary planets found by Kepler, the planet does not orbit near the stability limit.

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Radio observations of a sample of broad-lined type Ic supernovae discovered by PTF/iPTF: A search for relativistic explosions

Long duration gamma-ray bursts are a rare subclass of stripped-envelope core-collapse supernovae that launch collimated relativistic outflows (jets). All gamma-ray-burst-associated supernovae are spectroscopically of Type Ic with broad lines, but the fraction of broad-lined Type Ic supernovae harboring low-luminosity gamma-ray-burst remains largely unconstrained. Some supernovae should be accompanied by off-axis $γ$-ray burst jets that remain invisible initially, but then emerge as strong radio sources (as the jets decelerate). However, this critical prediction of the jet model for gamma-ray bursts has yet to be verified observationally. Here, we present K. G. Jansky Very Large Array observations of 15 broad-lined supernovae of Type Ic discovered by the Palomar Transient Factory in an untargeted manner. Most of the supernovae in our sample exclude radio emission observationally similar to that of the radio-loud, relativistic SN\,1998bw. We constrain the fraction of 1998bw-like broad-lined Type Ic supernovae to be <~ 41% (99.865% confidence). Most of the events in our sample also exclude off-axis jets similar to GRB 031203 and GRB 030329, but we cannot rule out off-axis gamma-ray-bursts expanding in a low-density wind environment. Three supernovae in our sample are detected in the radio. PTF11qcj and PTF14dby show late-time radio emission with average ejecta speeds of ~(0.3-0.4)c, on the dividing line between relativistic and "ordinary" supernovae. The speed of PTF11cmh radio ejecta is poorly constrained. We estimate that <~ 85% (99.865% confidence) of the broad-lined Type Ic supernovae in our sample may harbor off-axis $γ$-ray-bursts expanding in media with densities in the range probed by this study.

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Radio follow-up of gravitational wave triggers during Advanced LIGO O1

We present radio follow-up observations carried out with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array during the first observing run (O1) of the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO). A total of three gravitational wave triggers were followed up during the ~4 months of O1, from September 2015 to January 2016. Two of these triggers, GW150914 and GW151226, are binary black hole merger events of high significance. A third trigger, G194575, was subsequently declared as an event of no interest (i.e., a false alarm). Our observations targeted selected optical transients identified by the intermediate Palomar Transient Factory (iPTF) in the Advanced LIGO error regions of the three triggers, and a limited region of the gravitational wave localization area of G194575 not accessible to optical telescopes due to Sun constraints, where a possible high-energy transient was identified. No plausible radio counterparts to GW150914 and GW151226 were found, in agreement with expectations for binary black hole mergers. We show that combining optical and radio observations is key to identifying contaminating radio sources that may be found in the follow-up of gravitational wave triggers, such as emission associated to star formation and AGN. We discuss our results in the context of the theoretical predictions for radio counterparts to gravitational wave transients, and describe our future plans for the radio follow-up of Advanced LIGO (and Virgo) triggers.

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Early observations of the nearby type Ia supernova SN 2015F

We present photometry and time-series spectroscopy of the nearby type Ia supernova (SN Ia) SN 2015F over $-16$ days to $+80$ days relative to maximum light, obtained as part of the Public ESO Spectroscopic Survey of Transient Objects (PESSTO). SN 2015F is a slightly sub-luminous SN Ia with a decline rate of $Δm15(B)=1.35 \pm 0.03$ mag, placing it in the region between normal and SN 1991bg-like events. Our densely-sampled photometric data place tight constraints on the epoch of first light and form of the early-time light curve. The spectra exhibit photospheric C II $λ6580$ absorption until $-4$ days, and high-velocity Ca II is particularly strong at $<-10$ days at expansion velocities of $\simeq$23000\kms. At early times, our spectral modelling with syn++ shows strong evidence for iron-peak elements (Fe II, Cr II, Ti II, and V II) expanding at velocities $>14000$ km s$^{-1}$, suggesting mixing in the outermost layers of the SN ejecta. Although unusual in SN Ia spectra, including V II in the modelling significantly improves the spectral fits. Intriguingly, we detect an absorption feature at $\sim$6800 Å that persists until maximum light. Our favoured explanation for this line is photospheric Al II, which has never been claimed before in SNe Ia, although detached high-velocity C II material could also be responsible. In both cases the absorbing material seems to be confined to a relatively narrow region in velocity space. The nucleosynthesis of detectable amounts of Al II would argue against a low-metallicity white dwarf progenitor. We also show that this 6800 Å feature is weakly present in other normal SN Ia events, and common in the SN 1991bg-like sub-class.

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Superluminous supernova 2015bn in the nebular phase: evidence for the engine-powered explosion of a stripped massive star

We present nebular-phase imaging and spectroscopy for the hydrogen-poor superluminous supernova SN 2015bn, at redshift z=0.1136, spanning +250-400 d after maximum light. The light curve exhibits a steepening in the decline rate from 1.4 mag/(100 d) to 1.7 mag/(100 d), suggestive of a significant decrease in the opacity. This change is accompanied by a transition from a blue continuum superposed with photospheric absorption lines to a nebular spectrum dominated by emission lines of oxygen, calcium and magnesium. There are no obvious signatures of circumstellar interaction or large nickel mass. We show that the spectrum at +400 d is virtually identical to a number of energetic Type Ic supernovae such as SN 1997dq, SN 2012au, and SN 1998bw, indicating similar core conditions and strengthening the link between `hypernovae'/long gamma-ray bursts and superluminous supernovae. A single explosion mechanism may unify these events that span absolute magnitudes of -22 < M_B < -17. Both the light curve and spectrum of SN 2015bn are consistent with an engine-driven explosion ejecting 7-30 M$_\odot$ of oxygen-dominated ejecta (for reasonable choices in temperature and opacity). A strong and relatively narrow O II $λ$7774 line, seen in a number of these energetic events but not in normal supernovae, may point to an inner shell that is the signature of a central engine.

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A search for an optical counterpart to the gravitational wave event GW151226

We present a search for an electromagnetic counterpart of the gravitational wave source GW151226. Using the Pan-STARRS1 telescope we mapped out 290 square degrees in the optical i_ps filter starting 11.5hr after the LIGO information release and lasting for a further 28 days. The first observations started 49.5hr after the time of the GW151226 detection. We typically reached sensitivity limits of i_ps = 20.3-20.8 and covered 26.5% of the LIGO probability skymap. We supplemented this with ATLAS survey data, reaching 31% of the probability region to shallower depths of m~19. We found 49 extragalactic transients (that are not obviously AGN), including a faint transient in a galaxy at 7Mpc (a luminous blue variable outburst) plus a rapidly decaying M-dwarf flare. Spectral classification of 20 other transient events showed them all to be supernovae. We found an unusual transient, PS15dpn, with an explosion date temporally coincident with GW151226 which evolved into a type Ibn supernova. The redshift of the transient is secure at z=0.1747 +/- 0.0001 and we find it unlikely to be linked, since the luminosity distance has a negligible probability of being consistent with that of GW151226. In the 290 square degrees surveyed we therefore do not find a likely counterpart. However we show that our survey strategy would be sensitive to NS-NS mergers producing kilonovae at D < 100 Mpc which is promising for future LIGO/Virgo searches.

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Pan-STARRS and PESSTO search for an optical counterpart to the LIGO gravitational wave source GW150914

We searched for an optical counterpart to the first gravitational wave source discovered by LIGO (GW150914), using a combination of the Pan-STARRS1 wide-field telescope and the PESSTO spectroscopic follow-up programme. As the final LIGO sky maps changed during analysis, the total probability of the source being spatially coincident with our fields was finally only 4.2 per cent. Therefore we discuss our results primarily as a demonstration of the survey capability of Pan-STARRS and spectroscopic capability of PESSTO. We mapped out 442 square degrees of the northern sky region of the initial map. We discovered 56 astrophysical transients over a period of 41 days from the discovery of the source. Of these, 19 were spectroscopically classified and a further 13 have host galaxy redshifts. All transients appear to be fairly normal supernovae and AGN variability and none is obviously linked with GW150914. We illustrate the sensitivity of our survey by defining parameterised lightcurves with timescales of 4, 20 and 40 days and use the sensitivity of the Pan-STARRS1 images to set limits on the luminosities of possible sources. The Pan-STARRS1 images reach limiting magnitudes of i = 19.2, 20.0 and 20.8 respectively for the three timescales. For long timescale parameterised lightcurves (with FWHM=~40d) we set upper limits of M_i <= -17.2 -0.9/+1.4 if the distance to GW150914 is D = 400 +/- 200Mpc. The number of type Ia SN we find in the survey is similar to that expected from the cosmic SN rate, indicating a reasonably complete efficiency in recovering supernova like transients out to D = 400 +/- 200 Mpc.

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SN 2015bn: a detailed multi-wavelength view of a nearby superluminous supernova

We present observations of SN 2015bn (= PS15ae = CSS141223-113342+004332 = MLS150211-113342+004333), a Type I superluminous supernova (SLSN) at redshift $z=0.1136$. As well as being one of the closest SLSNe I yet discovered, it is intrinsically brighter ($M_U\approx-23.1$) and in a fainter galaxy ($M_B\approx-16.0$) than other SLSNe at $z\sim0.1$. We used this opportunity to collect the most extensive dataset for any SLSN I to date, including densely-sampled spectroscopy and photometry, from the UV to the NIR, spanning $-$50 to +250 days from optical maximum. SN 2015bn fades slowly, but exhibits surprising undulations in the light curve on a timescale of 30-50 days, especially in the UV. The spectrum shows extraordinarily slow evolution except for a rapid transformation between +7 and +20-30 days. No narrow emission lines from slow-moving material are observed at any phase. We derive physical properties including the bolometric luminosity, and find slow velocity evolution and non-monotonic temperature and radial evolution. A deep radio limit rules out a healthy off-axis gamma-ray burst, and places constraints on the pre-explosion mass loss. The data can be consistently explained by a $\gtrsim10\,{\rm M}_\odot$ stripped progenitor exploding with $\sim 10^{51}\,$erg kinetic energy, forming a magnetar with a spin-down timescale of $\sim20$ days (thus avoiding a gamma-ray burst) that reheats the ejecta and drives ionization fronts. The most likely alternative scenario -- interaction with $\sim20\,{\rm M}_\odot$ of dense, inhomogeneous circumstellar material -- can be tested with continuing radio follow-up.

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The new SOXS instrument for the ESO NTT

SOXS (Son Of X-Shooter) will be a unique spectroscopic facility for the ESO-NTT 3.5-m telescope in La Silla (Chile), able to cover the optical/NIR band (350-1750 nm). The design foresees a high-efficiency spectrograph with a resolution-slit product of ~4,500, capable of simultaneously observing the complete spectral range 350 - 1750 nm with a good sensitivity, with light imaging capabilities in the visible band. This paper outlines the status of the project.

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PTF12os and iPTF13bvn. Two stripped-envelope supernovae from low-mass progenitors in NGC 5806

We investigate two stripped-envelope supernovae (SNe) discovered in the nearby galaxy NGC 5806 by the (i)PTF. These SNe, designated PTF12os/SN 2012P and iPTF13bvn, exploded at a similar distance from the host-galaxy center. We classify PTF12os as a Type IIb SN based on our spectral sequence; iPTF13bvn has previously been classified as Type Ib having a likely progenitor with zero age main sequence (ZAMS) mass below ~17 solar masses. Our main objective is to constrain the explosion parameters of iPTF12os and iPTF13bvn, and to put constraints on the SN progenitors. We present comprehensive datasets on the SNe, and introduce a new reference-subtraction pipeline (FPipe) currently in use by the iPTF. We perform a detailed study of the light curves (LCs) and spectral evolution of the SNe. The bolometric LCs are modeled using the hydrodynamical code HYDE. We use nebular models and late-time spectra to constrain the ZAMS mass of the progenitors. We perform image registration of ground-based images of PTF12os to archival HST images of NGC 5806 to identify a potential progenitor candidate. Our nebular spectra of iPTF13bvn indicate a low ZAMS mass of ~12 solar masses for the progenitor. The late-time spectra of PTF12os are consistent with a ZAMS mass of ~15 solar masses. We successfully identify a progenitor candidate to PTF12os using archival HST images. This source is consistent with being a cluster of massive stars. Our hydrodynamical modeling suggests that the progenitor of PTF12os had a compact He core with a mass of 3.25 solar masses, and that 0.063 solar masses of strongly mixed 56Ni was synthesized. Spectral comparisons to the Type IIb SN 2011dh indicate that the progenitor of PTF12os was surrounded by a hydrogen envelope with a mass lower than 0.02 solar masses. We also find tentative evidence that the progenitor of iPTF13bvn could have been surrounded by a small amount of hydrogen.

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450 Days of Type II SN 2013ej in Optical and Near-Infrared

We present optical and near-infrared photometric and spectroscopic observations of SN 2013ej, in galaxy M74, from 1 to 450 days after the explosion. SN 2013ej is a hydrogen-rich supernova, classified as a Type IIL due to its relatively fast decline following the initial peak. It has a relatively high peak luminosity (absolute magnitude M$_\rm{V}$ = -17.6) but a small $^{56}$Ni production of ~0.023 M$_\odot$. Its photospheric evolution is similar to other Type II SNe, with shallow absorption in the Hα profile typical for a Type IIL. During transition to the radioactive decay tail at ~100 days, we find the SN to grow bluer in B - V colour, in contrast to some other Type II supernovae. At late times, the bolometric light curve declined faster than expected from $^{56}$Co decay and we observed unusually broad and asymmetric nebular emission lines. Based on comparison of nebular emission lines most sensitive to the progenitor core mass, we find our observations are best matched to synthesized spectral models with a M$_\rm{ZAMS}$ = 12 - 15 M$_\odot$ progenitor. The derived mass range is similar to but not higher than the mass estimated for Type IIP progenitors. This is against the idea that Type IIL are from more massive stars. Observations are consistent with the SN having a progenitor with a relatively low-mass envelope.

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iPTF15dtg: a double-peaked Type Ic Supernova from a massive progenitor

Type Ic supernovae (SNe Ic) arise from the core-collapse of H (and He) poor stars, which could be either single WR stars or lower-mass stars stripped of their envelope by a companion. Their light curves are radioactively powered and usually show a fast rise to peak ($\sim$10-15 d), without any early (first few days) emission bumps (with the exception of broad-lined SNe Ic) as sometimes seen for other types of stripped-envelope SNe (e.g., Type IIb SN 1993J and Type Ib SN 2008D). We have studied iPTF15dtg, a spectroscopically normal SN Ic with an early excess in the optical light curves followed by a long ($\sim$30 d) rise to the main peak. It is the first spectroscopically-normal double-peaked SN Ic observed. We aim to determine the properties of this explosion and of its progenitor star. Optical photometry and spectroscopy of iPTF15dtg was obtained with multiple telescopes. The resulting light curves and spectral sequence are analyzed and modelled with hydrodynamical and analytical models, with particular focus on the early emission. Results. iPTF15dtg is a slow rising SN Ic, similar to SN 2011bm. Hydrodynamical modelling of the bolometric properties reveals a large ejecta mass ($\sim$10 $M_{\odot}$) and strong $^{56}$Ni mixing. The luminous early emission can be reproduced if we account for the presence of an extended ($\sim$500 R$_{\odot}$), low-mass ($\sim$0.045 M$_{\odot}$) envelope around the progenitor star. Alternative scenarios for the early peak, such as the interaction with a companion, a shock-breakout (SBO) cooling tail from the progenitor surface, or a magnetar-driven SBO are not favored. The large ejecta mass and the presence of H and He free extended material around the star suggest that the progenitor of iPTF15dtg was a massive ($\gtrsim$ 35 M$_{\odot}$) WR star suffering strong mass loss.

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PTF 13efv - An outburst 500 days prior to the SNHunt 275 explosion and its radiative efficiency

The progenitors of some supernovae (SNe) exhibit outbursts with super-Eddington luminosities prior to their final explosions. This behavior is common among Type IIn SNe, but the driving mechanisms of these precursors are not yet well understood. SNHunt 275 was announced as a possible new SN during May 2015. Here we report on pre-explosion observations of the location of this event by the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) and report the detection of a precursor about 500 days prior to the 2015 May activity (PTF 13efv). The observed velocities in the 2015 transient and its 2013 precursor absorption spectra are low (1000-2000 km/s), so it is not clear yet if the recent activity indeed marks the final disruption of the progenitor. Regardless of the nature of this event, we use the PTF photometric and spectral observations, as well as Swift-UVOT observations, to constrain the efficiency of the radiated energy relative to the total kinetic energy of the precursor. We find that, using an order-of-magnitude estimate and under the assumption of spherical symmetry, the ratio of the radiated energy to the kinetic energy is in the range of 0.04 to 3400.

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The bolometric light curves and physical parameters of stripped-envelope supernovae

The optical and optical/near-infrared pseudo-bolometric light curves of 85 stripped-envelope supernovae (SNe) are constructed using a consistent method and a standard cosmology. The light curves are analysed to derive temporal characteristics and peak luminosity $L_{\mathrm{p}}$, enabling the construction of a luminosity function. Subsequently, the mass of $^{56}$Ni synthesised in the explosion, along with the ratio of ejecta mass to ejecta kinetic energy, are found. Analysis shows that host-galaxy extinction is an important factor in accurately determining luminosity values as it is significantly greater than Galactic extinction in most cases. It is found that broad-lined SNe~Ic (SNe~Ic-BL) and gamma-ray burst SNe are the most luminous subtypes with a combined median $L_{\mathrm{p}}$, in erg s$^{-1}$, of log($L_{\mathrm{p}})=43.00$ compared to $42.51$ for SNe Ic, $42.50$ for SNe~Ib, and $42.36$ for SNe~IIb. It is also found that SNe~Ic-BL synthesise approximately twice the amount of $^{56}$Ni compared with SNe~Ic, Ib, and IIb, with median $M_{\mathrm{Ni}} = 0.34$, 0.16, 0.14, and 0.11 M$_{\odot}$, respectively. SNe~Ic-BL, and to a lesser extent SNe~Ic, typically rise from $L_{\mathrm{p}}/2$ to $L_{\mathrm{p}}$ more quickly than SNe~Ib/IIb; consequently, their light curves are not as broad.

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Interacting supernovae and supernova impostors. LSQ13zm: an outburst heralds the death of a massive star

We report photometric and spectroscopic observations of the optical transient LSQ13zm. Historical data reveal the presence of an eruptive episode (that we label as `2013a') followed by a much brighter outburst (`2013b') three weeks later, that we argue to be the genuine supernova explosion. This sequence of events closely resemble those observed for SN2010mc and (in 2012) SN2009ip. The absolute magnitude reached by LSQ13zm during 2013a ($M_R=-14.87\pm0.25\,\rm{mag}$) is comparable with those of supernova impostors, while that of the 2013b event ($M_R=-18.46\pm0.21\,\rm{mag}$) is consistent with those of interacting supernovae. Our spectra reveal the presence of a dense and structured circumstellar medium, probably produced through numerous pre-supernova mass-loss events. In addition, we find evidence for high-velocity ejecta, with a fraction of gas expelled at more than 20000\kms. The spectra of LSQ13zm show remarkable similarity with those of well-studied core-collapse supernovae. From the analysis of the available photometric and spectroscopic data, we conclude that we first observed the last event of an eruptive sequence from a massive star, likely a Luminous Blue Variable, which a short time later exploded as a core-collapse supernova. The detailed analysis of archival images suggest that the host galaxy is a star-forming Blue Dwarf Compact Galaxy.

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