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Antonio Martin-Carrillo

Publications and source records attributed to Antonio Martin-Carrillo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

GRB 220706A: a gamma-ray burst with a month-long engine and a luminous supernova

While the progenitors of many long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are well established as the core collapse of very massive, envelope-stripped, rapidly-rotating stars, it has been suggested that bursts at the extremely long end of the duration distribution may be a separate population of `ultra-long' GRBs. With durations of thousands of seconds or more, these bursts are difficult to reconcile with the engine timescales expected from the compact Wolf-Rayet stars that are typically assumed to produce more `standard' long GRBs. Here, we present observations of GRB~220706A, where X-ray follow-up reveals flaring episodes that last until $\approx 51$ days after trigger. At the measured redshift of $z = 0.8577$, this corresponds to 27 days in the GRB rest frame, and represents the latest central engine activity ever observed in a GRB by a margin of $\approx 21$ rest-frame days. We also identify a likely supernova (SN) which, when accounting for the inferred optical extinction of $0.9 \leq A_V \leq 3.6$ mag (constrained by indirect arguments), has a peak absolute magnitude of $M_r \leq -20.25$, resembling the energetic SN\,2011kl found accompanying ultra-long GRB\,111209A, and consistent with super-luminous SNe. We discuss the implications GRB~220706A has for ultra-long GRB progenitor models and possible powering mechanisms for the extremely late central engine activity.

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Gas absorption of soft X-rays strongly impacts the redshift distribution of dark Fast X-ray Transients

The progenitors of many Fast X-ray Transients (FXTs) and those of $γ$-ray bursts (GRBs) are strongly linked. Given that "dark" GRBs are typically found to be events suffering from enhanced extinction in the host galaxy, we investigate the nature of "dark" FXTs. However, unlike $γ$-rays, soft X-rays are strongly affected by absorption, implying that dark FXTs discovered by Einstein Probe's Wide-field X-ray Telescope (EP-WXT) have to be emitted at energies $>$2--3 keV restframe hence at a redshift $z\gtrsim2$. To illustrate this we present two dark FXTs, EP241103a and EP260409a, discovered by EP-WXT. For EP241103a, the high extinction precluded the detection of the optical counterpart, while for a probable source redshift of $\sim2.5$, the rest-frame X-ray photons are not severely affected. For EP260409a no counterpart is detected in the optical, but we do detect a near-infrared counterpart. A plausible scenario for EP260409a is that it lies at a redshift $z \gtrsim 4$. Additionally, we conduct simulations of FXTs observed with EP-WXT, showing that the detected counts for absorbed events ($N_{\mathrm{H}}\gtrsim10^{22}$~cm$^{-2}$) strongly decrease at low redshifts, hindering their detection. These results support the theoretical prediction that dark FXTs have an intermediate to high redshift and a different selection function from those of dark GRBs.

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A JWST redshift for the host galaxy of EP250207b of z=3.2: a collapsar origin is viable

We present James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of the field of the fast X-ray transient (FXT) detected by Einstein Probe, EP250207b, to resolve any ambiguity about the host galaxy and redshift of the FXT. EP250207b was originally associated with a nearby galaxy at z=0.082, based on its low chance alignment probability, and a binary neutron star merger origin was proposed. However, we report the detection of a background galaxy at z=3.2 at the location of EP250207b. Assuming this galaxy is the actual host galaxy, the rest-frame energetics and timescales of the event change. Furthermore, the available data are not able to rule out the presence of a supernova associated with EP250207b if at this redshift. We model the X-ray, optical, near-infrared and radio light curves using a tophat jet model implemented in Redback and find that they are consistent with an on-axis gamma ray burst afterglow. The energetics and host galaxy properties do not allow us to distinguish between a collapsar and a merger driven event.

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Gamma-ray burst progenitors revisited

Recently, several long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) associated with kilonovae have cast doubt on the traditional, dichotomous mapping between gamma-ray duration and progenitor system. Here, we investigate the rates and properties of bursts which appear to cross this dichotomy using a sample of GRBs for which progenitor constraints are possible. We first build a sample of known Swift-detected GRBs at z<0.3, finding 8 short- and 21 long-duration GRBs. Of these long GRBs, we find 9 bursts with deep limits on supernova emission, evidence for kilonova emission, or association with a quiescent galaxy (31% $\pm$ 9% of all GRBs at z<0.3), implying that a significant fraction of nearby long GRBs likely do not come from massive stars. At z<0.3, no short GRB has an observed supernova counterpart. We find comparable numbers when expanding to z<0.5 and other gamma-ray telescopes, though we obtain a decreased fraction of bursts with robust constraints on a progenitor. We further find that the long GRBs with no associated supernovae possess on-average fainter afterglows and lie in less star-forming host galaxies than those with supernovae, supporting that these events may originate in compact object mergers. We estimate approximate volumetric rates, finding similar (on-axis) rates for short GRBs and supernova-less long GRBs of $\sim 0.5-2.5$ Gpc$^{-3}$ yr$^{-1}$, although a search for possible low-redshift hosts of the complete Swift catalog suggests that our sample may be $\sim$50% complete. If supernova-less long GRBs arise from compact object mergers, this implies that $\sim$ 30-70% of all z<0.3 Swift long GRBs may arise from mergers and that the $z<0.3$ rates of mergers from long and short GRBs are comparable. These findings hold substantial implications for gravitational-wave coincidence and heavy element enrichment.

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Optical observations of candidate host galaxies of eight fast X-ray transients

Fast X-ray transients (FXTs) are extragalactic flashes of X-rays with a typical duration of minutes to hours for which a variety of origins has been proposed and observed. To decipher the origin of FXTs, particularly those lacking multi-wavelength counterparts, we aim to understand their energetics and environments. We present deep optical ground-based observations of the positions of eight FXTs in order to try and identify and characterize candidate host galaxies. We use their properties to discriminate between possible progenitor scenarios. We identify candidate host galaxies for Swift~J050400.2+673405, XRT140507, XRT040610, XRT151121, XRT191127 and EP240708a. For each candidate, we infer the spectroscopic or photometric redshift, stellar mass, star formation rate, metallicity and stellar population age by fitting our data with the spectral energy distribution fitting code BAGPIPES. We re-identify XRT191223 as a Galactic stellar flare. For several FXTs, there are multiple candidate host galaxies, which complicates deriving constraints on the origin of the FXT. Assuming association with (one of) those candidates, all are consistent with a (non-)relativistic white dwarf - intermediate mass black hole tidal disruption event (WD-IMBH TDE) and a binary neutron star (BNS) merger. Two are consistent with a supernova shock breakout and only EP240708a with cocoon emission from a long gamma-ray burst. We also discuss the possibility that the host galaxies remain undetected in our observations. We conclude that FXTs detected by Chandra and XMM-Newton are likely to arise from a variety of origins, and we discuss that part of this population differs from FXTs detected by Einstein Probe many of which appear consistent with a collapsar scenario.

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Future Detections of the Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium using Bright Power Law Sources with NewAthena

Context. Hydrodynamical cosmological simulations based on the $Λ$-Cold Dark Matter ($Λ$CDM) model predict that $\sim$40% of the baryons in the local Universe are missing. These missing baryons are predicted to lie in low-density filamentary structures that trace connections between galaxies. This so-called warm-hot intergalactic medium (WHIM) is predicted to be observable in the far-ultraviolet (FUV) and soft X-ray regimes, and detectable in ion species with transitions in these bands. Aims. We investigate the capability of the X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) on NewAthena to detect this WHIM through O vii absorption lines imprinted on bright power-law sources in soft X-rays (0.3-1.0 keV) by examining the parameter space of different observing conditions. Methods. Through advanced simulations of the X-IFU detector, a multidimensional approach is taken to investigate the relationship between source parameters and their impacts on the significance of detection of a single absorption feature. By first studying the effect of line placement (redshift) for an observation of fixed length, followed by varying the observation length, the required counts for 3$σ$ and 5$σ$ detections are calculated for various photon indices and local Galactic absorptions. The rest-frame equivalent widths of the imprinted absorption features are then varied, and the same requirements are calculated for each line strength. Results. We discuss the detection and recovery of the imprinted WHIM features. Another method is used to derive count requirements for detecting these features at different levels of significance, which is then compared to the previously obtained requirements. Using publicly available data from the Swift archives, various non-transient sources are analysed for their suitability to detect WHIM features in absorption.

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Failed jet breakout in the metal-poor broad-lined type Ic supernova 2026gzf

A long-standing question in the death of massive stars is the role of relativistic jets. While many gamma-ray bursts and some fast X-ray transients seem to be associated with broad-lined type Ic supernovae, the opposite is not true. The lack of observable jet emission in those Ic-BL SNe can be explained by invoking off-axis jets, choked jets that inject all their energy into the stellar envelope, baryon-loaded jets for which the prompt high-energy emission is strongly suppressed, or non-jetted SNe. The lack of exact explosion time in the majority of SNe presents an obstacle to distinguish between these scenarios. Here we report the properties of SN 2026gzf associated with the X-ray thermal Einstein Probe shock-breakout EP260321a at z=0.0343. The absence of compelling shocked cocoon and radio emission up to 54 days, combined with initial expansion velocities of ~30,000 km/s and a circumstellar shell of ~0.07 M$_\odot$, favour a scenario for SN 2026gzf in which a jet was choked in the circumstellar shell. Our high-spatial resolution images of the SN environment show that the progenitor was located between two highly star-forming regions with a metallicity lower than any previously known Ic-BL SN. As the first case of a Ic-BL SN associated with high-energy prompt emission without the signature of a jet, SN 2026gzf provides a unique perspective to understand the successful launch of relativistic jets during the deaths of massive stars.

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Multi-wavelength study of EP250416a / GRB 250416C: An Optically Dark Long GRB with a Late Jet Break

We present multi-wavelength study of the $γ$/X-ray transient EP250416a (also designated GRB 250416C), triggered by the Einstein Probe (EP) Wide-field X-ray Telescope and also by SVOM and Konus-Wind. Observations spanning the gamma-ray, X-ray, and optical bands facilitated detailed analysis of the burst's prompt emission, afterglow evolution, and physical origin. EP250416a exhibits a burst duration of 30 s in X-ray and 17.7 s in gamma-rays, with joint spectral fitting of 0.5-5000 keV data gives $E\rm_{peak}=342_{-232}^{+90}$ keV. Optical spectroscopy of the afterglow, acquired with the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) on Gemini South, yielded a redshift of $z=0.963$. Accounting for the measured redshift, the isotropic energies are $E\rm_{X,iso}=2.7_{-0.5}^{+0.9}\times10^{50}$ erg and $E\rm_{γ,iso}=7.34_{-2.1}^{+5.1}\times10^{51}$ erg, aligning with the Amati relation for long GRBs. The fluence ratio $\rm S(25-50~keV)/S(50-100~keV)=0.78_{-0.15}^{+0.1}$ classifies EP250416a as an X-ray rich (XRR) GRB. The X-ray afterglow shows an initial shallow decay ($α\approx -0.5$) transitioning to a canonical decay phase ($α\approx -1$), with a very late jet break at $t\sim 1.5\times 10^6$ s, corresponding to a jet half-opening angle of $θ_j=10.6_{-1.8}^{+1.9}$ degrees. EP250416a is optically dark, as it shows only a faint $r$-band detection ($r=24.16$ mag) from Gemini South-GMOS and a low optical-to-X-ray spectral index $β_{\rm OX} = 0.3$. This may be attributed to significant host-galaxy extinction, with a required $A_V^{\text{host}}=5.5\ \text{mag}$ derived from the extinction curve model.

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Machine learning for the early classification of broad-lined Ic supernovae

Science is currently at an age where there is more data than we know how to deal with. Machine learning (ML) is an emerging tool that is useful for drawing valuable science out of incomprehensibly large datasets and identifying complex trends in data that may otherwise be overlooked. Moreover, ML can potentially enhance the quality and quantity of scientific data as they are collected. This paper explores how a new ML method can improve the rate of classification of rare broad-lined Ic (Ic-BL) supernovae (SNe). We introduce new parameters called magnitude rates to train ML models to identify SNe Ic-BL in large datasets and apply this same methodology to a population of SN Ia to test if our ML approach is reproducible. The information we required to train each ML model included three magnitudes, three time differences, two magnitude rates, and the second derivative of these rates using the first three available photometric data points in a single filter. Our initial investigations showed that the random forest algorithm provides a strong foundation for the early classifications SNe Ic-BL and SNe Ia. Testing this model again on an unseen dataset showed that the model can identify upward of 13.6\% of the total true SN Ic-BL population, significantly improving on current methods. By implementing a dedicated observation campaign using this model, the number of SN Ic-BL classified and the quality of early-time data collected each year will see considerable growth in the near future.

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GRB 210704A: A Luminous Fast Blue Transient in a GRB Afterglow at $z = 2.34$

We present detailed, multi-wavelength analysis of GRB 210704A: a Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor discovered and Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) detected gamma-ray burst (GRB). The burst is dominated by a short ($\approx 2$ s) pulse followed by weaker, softer emission. We line stack our afterglow spectrum and determine the most likely redshift to be $z = 2.34$. This is corroborated by the photometric redshift of the extended source underlying the GRB. The spectral energy distribution fit parameters, late-time imaging, as well as the GRB's energetics, spectral lag, and location point to a collapsar nature. Follow-up observations reveal excess optical/infrared emission with respect to a standard afterglow, peaking around $T_0 + 7$ d ($2$ d in the rest frame). The excess is extremely luminous ($M_{r} = -22.0$ mag) and rapidly evolving. Strikingly, it resembles the emission seen in recently discovered Einstein Probe fast X-ray transients EP241021a and EP240414a, as well as the population of luminous fast blue optical transients (LFBOTs). This provides a link between these sources and GRBs. Fermi/LAT observations imply a high Lorentz factor, making this a case where LFBOT-like emission is also associated with a powerful successfully launched jet. We model the excess as likely coming from an energetic refreshed shock.

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Can GRB 250702B be explained as the tidal disruption of a white dwarf by an intermediate mass black hole? Yes

GRB 250702B is a unique astrophysical transient characterised by its nature as a repeating gamma-ray trigger. Its properties include possible periodicity in its gamma-ray light curve, an X-ray counterpart that rose prior to the gamma-ray outbursts and faded quickly, and radio and infrared counterparts. These features are difficult to reconcile with most models of high energy transients but we show that they are compatible with a white dwarf bound to an intermediate mass black hole that is tidally stripped over multiple pericentre passages before being fully disrupted. Accretion onto the black hole powers a mildly relativistic jet that produces the X-rays through internal processes and the infrared and radio counterparts through thermal emission and external shocks respectively but is unable to produce the gamma-ray emission on its own. We propose that chaotic debris streams from the multiple stripping episodes can collide with a period roughly the same as the orbital period of the star. These shocks produce hard X-ray photons that are upscattered by the jet to produce the observed MeV gamma-ray emission. Future analysis of the jet properties will allow us to place firmer constraints on our model.

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JWST and HST observations of the host galaxy and supernova, SN 2024aihh in EP240801a at z=1.67

We present James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of the counterpart of EP240801a, at z=1.67, the first fast X-ray transient (FXT) identified as an X-ray flash (XRF) by the Einstein Probe (EP) and Fermi-GBM. Our observations reveal strong photometric and spectroscopic evidence for an associated broad-lined Type Ic supernova (SN) SN 2024aihh, the most distant spectroscopically identified gamma ray-burst (GRB)-SN to date. The SN exhibits similar luminosity and light curve evolution to the proto-type GRB-SN 1998bw with an absolute magnitude of the SN at $\sim$23 days rest-frame of $M_{F140W} \approx$-19 mag. The SN is located in a host galaxy with complex morphology at a large ($\sim$6 kpc) offset in a region of relatively low surface brightness. The region around the SN has a modest star formation rate and is dominated by an intermediate mass-weighted age (1.4$\pm$0.3 Gyr) population, despite the apparent presence of a young, massive broad-lined Type Ic SN progenitor. These observations demonstrate that observations with HST and JWST can greatly extend the redshift range over which the GRB/FXT-SN connection can be studied, including in relatively low luminosity, X-ray rich events. They demonstrate little apparent evolution in the SN properties from local examples despite EP240801a originating from an epoch 10 Gyr ago.

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JWST Spectroscopy of GRB 250702B: An Extremely Rare and Exceptionally Energetic Burst in a Dusty, Massive Galaxy at $z=1.036$

We present follow-up observations of the day-long, repeating GRB 250702B with the Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) on board the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Through the identification of narrow hydrogen emission lines at a consistent redshift of $z = 1.036 \pm 0.004$, we calibrate the distance scale, and therefore the energetics, of this unique extragalactic transient. At this distance, the resulting $γ$-ray energy release is at least $E_{γ,\rm iso} = 2.2 \times 10^{54}$\,erg. We find no evidence for ongoing transient emission at the GRB position, and exclude any accompanying supernova with a luminosity comparable to the Type Ic broad-line SN 2023lcr, though we are unable to constrain fainter events. The inferred rate of such events, assuming at most one in the lifetime of {\em Fermi}, suggests that such bursts are very rare, with volumetric rates $>1,000$ times lower than normal high luminosity long GRBs and $> 10^5$ times lower than core collapse supernovae when corrected for beaming. Furthermore, we find that the host galaxy is unique amongst GRB host galaxies, and extremely rare in the general galaxy population, being extremely large, dusty and with high stellar mass. The identification of such an exotic GRB in such an unusual galaxy raises the possibility that the environment was important in the progenitor channel for this event.

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Prospects for Time-Domain and Multi-Messenger Science with eXTP

In this new era of time-domain and multi-messenger astronomy, various new transients and new phenomena are constantly being discovered thanks to the rapid advances in observations, which provide the excellent opportunity to study the physics in the extreme environments. The enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission (eXTP), planned to be launched in 2030, has several key advantages, including advanced polarimetry, high sensitivity & large effective area, and wide energy range coverage, which make it a groundbreaking project in high-energy astrophysics. In this article, we briefly introduce the potential time-domain and multi-messenger targets for eXTP, including gravitational-wave (GW) counterparts, gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), magnetars and fast radio bursts (FRBs), tidal disruption events (TDEs), supernovae, high energy neutrinos and TeV active galactic nucleus (AGNs), and so on. We discuss the advantages of future eXTP observations for detecting these sources, their detection capabilities, the abilities to distinguish theoretical models, and their applications in gravity and cosmology.

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Deciphering the Physical Origin of GRB 240825A: A Long GRB Lacking a Bright Supernova

We present a comprehensive multiwavelength analysis of GRB 240825A, a bright gamma-ray burst (GRB) detected by Fermi and Swift, with a prompt duration ($T_{\rm 90}$ ~ 4 sec in 50-300 keV) near the boundary separating short and long GRBs, prompting a detailed investigation into its classification and progenitor. Using classical prompt metrics (duration, minimum variability timescale (MVT), lag, and spectral hardness) and modern classification techniques (machine-learning (ML) based t-SNE, support vector machine, energy-hardness-duration, and $ε\equiv E_{γ,\mathrm{iso},52} / E_{p,z,2}^{5/3}$), we find GRB 240825A exhibits hybrid characteristics. The short MVT (13.830 $\pm$ 1.574 ms), rest-frame duration, and ML-based classification indicate a merger-like or ambiguous nature, while its energetics and position on the Amati relation favor a collapsar origin. We conducted deep optical and NIR photometric and spectroscopic late-time search for an associated supernova (SN)/kilonova (KN) and the host galaxy using 10.4 m GTC and 8.4 m binocular LBT telescopes. No bright SN (like SN 1998bw) is detected down to stringent limits (e.g., $m_r > 26.1$ mag at 17.59 days), despite a redshift of $z$ = 0.659 measured from GTC spectroscopy. Host galaxy SED modeling with Prospector indicates a massive, dusty, and star-forming galaxy-typical of collapsar GRB hosts, though with low sSFR and large offset. We compare these findings with hybrid events like GRB 211211A, GRB 230307A, GRB 200826A, including SNe-GRBs, and conclude that GRB 240825A likely originated from a massive star collapse, with the associated supernova obscured by a dusty host environment or low luminosity SN with absolute magnitude M$_{V}$ fainter than -18.0. This study emphasizes the need for multiwavelength follow-up and a multi-layered classification to determine GRB progenitors.

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The day-long, repeating GRB 250702BDE / EP250702a: A unique extragalactic transient

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are singular outbursts of high-energy radiation with durations typically lasting from milliseconds to minutes and, in extreme cases, a few hours. They are attributed to the catastrophic outcomes of stellar-scale events and, as such, are not expected to recur. Here, we present observations of an exceptional GRB\,250702BDE which triggered the {\em Fermi} gamma-ray burst monitor on three occasions over several hours, and which was detected in soft X-rays by the \textit{Einstein Probe} a day before the $γ$-ray triggers (EP250702a). We present the discovery of an extremely red infrared counterpart of the event with the VLT, as well as radio observations from MeerKAT. Hubble Space Telescope observations pinpoint the source to a non-nuclear location in a host galaxy with complex morphology, implying GRB 250702BDE is an extragalactic event. The multi-wavelength counterpart is well described with standard afterglow models at a relatively low redshift $z \sim 0.2$, but the prompt emission does not readily fit within the expectations for either collapsar or merger-driven GRBs. Indeed, a striking feature of the multiple prompt outbursts is that the third occurs at an integer multiple of the interval between the first two. Although not conclusive, this could be indicative of periodicity in the progenitor system. We discuss several possible scenarios to explain the exceptional properties of the burst, which suggest that either a very unusual collapsar or the tidal disruption of a white dwarf by an intermediate-mass black hole are plausible explanations for this unprecedented GRB.

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Velocity evolution of broad-lined type-Ic supernovae with and without gamma-ray bursts

More than 60 broad-lined type Ic (Ic-BL) supernovae (SNe) are associated with a long gamma-ray burst (GRB). However, many type Ic-BL SNe exhibit no sign of an associated GRB. On average, the expansion velocities of GRB-associated type Ic-BL SNe (GRB-SNe) are greater than those of type Ic-BL SNe without an associated GRB. This work presents the largest spectroscopic sample of type Ic-BL SNe with and without GRBs to date, consisting of 61 ordinary type Ic-BL SNe and 13 GRB-SNe. The goal of this work is to compare the evolution of SN expansion velocities in cases where an ultra-relativistic jet has been launched (GRB-SNe) and cases where no GRB jet is inferred from observations (ordinary type Ic-BL SNe), to search for possible jet influences. To do this we measured the expansion velocities of the Fe II and Si II features observed in the spectra of type Ic-BL SNe using a spline fitting method and fitted the velocity evolution with single and broken power-laws. In each analysis we compared two populations: ordinary type Ic-BL SNe and GRB-SNe. We find that the expansion velocities of the Fe II and Si II features are similar between these populations, in contrast with previous studies. The Fe II and Si II power-law indices indicate that GRB-SNe decline at similar rates to ordinary type Ic-BL supernovae. Broken power-law evolution appears to be more common for the Si II feature. This observation may hint at a two-component ejecta model, such as a GRB jet or a cocoon. Neither the velocities nor their evolution can be used to distinguish between ordinary type Ic-BL SNe and GRB-SNe. Velocities consistent with broken power-law evolution may indicate the presence of a GRB jet in some of these ordinary type Ic-BL SNe, but this is likely not as robust as late-time radio surveys. These results suggest that GRB-SNe and ordinary type Ic-BL SNe are drawn from the same underlying population of events.

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The kangaroo's first hop: the early fast cooling phase of EP250108a/SN 2025kg

Fast X-ray transients (FXTs) are a rare and poorly understood population of events. Previously difficult to detect in real time, the launch of the Einstein Probe with its wide field X-ray telescope has led to a rapid expansion in the sample and allowed the exploration of these transients across the electromagnetic spectrum. EP250108a is a recently detected example linked to an optical counterpart, SN 2025kg, or 'the kangaroo'. Together with a companion paper (Rastinejad et al. 2025), we present our observing campaign and analysis of this event. In this letter, we focus on the early evolution of the optical counterpart over the first six days, including our measurement of the redshift of $z=0.17641$. We find that the source is well-modelled by a rapidly expanding cooling blackbody. We show the observed X-ray and radio properties are consistent with a collapsar-powered jet that is low energy ($\lesssim10^{51}$ erg) and/or fails to break out of the dense material surrounding it. While we examine the possibility that the optical emission emerges from the shock produced as the supernova ejecta expand into a dense shell of circumstellar material, due to our X-ray and radio inferences, we favour a model where it arises from a shocked cocoon resulting from the trapped jet. This makes SN 2025kg one of the few examples of this currently observationally rare event.

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