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E. Cappellaro

Publications and source records attributed to E. Cappellaro.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Core-Collapse Supernova detections from Einstein Telescope within the Milky Way

Core-collapse supernovae are key drivers of galaxy evolution and promising sources of gravitational waves, which provide a unique probe of the physics driving their explosion mechanism. Third-generation detectors, such as the Einstein Telescope, will dramatically improve the prospects for detecting these signals. This study assesses the capability of the Einstein Telescope, alone and in synergy with next-generation detectors such as Cosmic Explorer, to detect gravitational waves from core-collapse supernovae. We estimate the detection horizons and expected event rates for sources in the Milky Way and nearby satellite galaxies. We employed the GWFish simulation framework, customized to include core-collapse supernovae waveform catalogs from state-of-the-art 3D simulations and stellar population data generated with TRILEGAL. This approach allows us to model gravitational waves detectability as a function of progenitor mass, source position and detector network configuration. Our analysis shows that the Einstein Telescope can detect gravitational waves from PNS-driven core-collapse supernovae up to distances ranging from ~20 to more than 100 kpc with a 90% confidence level, depending on the progenitor mass and waveform, while a combination of this detector in a network can extend the reach up to ~170 kpc in the most favorable cases. For a representative 15 M_sun progenitor, ET (in its 2L configuration) achieves a detection horizon of ~100 kpc, ensuring essentially complete coverage of the Milky Way and partial coverage of the Magellanic Clouds.

astro-ph.HE

Wild behaviour near the finish line: the Type Ibn SN 2020able and its stratified environment

We present spectrophotometric observations of the Type Ibn supernova SN~2020able, along with a comprehensive analysis and modelling of its evolution. The transient occurred in SDSS J092602.93+243115.1, a faint host galaxy characterised by significantly sub-solar metallicity ($12+\log(\rm{O/H})\simeq8.28\,\rm{dex}$). The early photometric evolution and high peak luminosity ($L_{peak}\simeq4.4\times10^{43}\,\rm{erg}\,\rm{s^{-1}}$) indicate an efficient conversion of ejecta kinetic energy into radiation via interaction with the circumstellar medium. Light-curve modelling suggests that this interaction involves ejecta with a mass of $M_{\rm{ej}}\simeq1.3\,M_{\odot}$ impacting a shell of $M_{\rm{CSM}}\simeq0.6\,M_{\odot}$. However, interaction is found to be geometrically and temporally confined within a few days after explosion, with the later evolution of the transient being dominated by the free expansion of the ejecta. Spectroscopic analysis reveals a complex, stratified circumstellar environment. In addition to the innermost shocked region, we identify two additional He-rich shells: a dense inner one ($n_{\rm{e}}\simeq1.4\times10^{9}\,\rm{cm^{-3}}$) located at $R\gtrsim9.3\times10^{14}\,\rm{cm}$, and a more extended outer component reaching $R_{out}\simeq3.3\times10^{15}\,\rm{cm}$ and expanding at approximately $1.2\times10^3\,\rm{km}\,\rm{s^{-1}}$. The physical parameters of the former suggest it was produced by a discrete pre-supernova eruptive event similar to that of SN~2006jc, which expelled approximately $1.8\times10^{-2}\,M_{\odot}$ of material. Conversely, the expansion velocity of the outermost shell is consistent with the escape velocity of WR stars, pointing towards a late WN to WC-type progenitor as the most viable candidate for SN~2020able.

astro-ph.HE

The transitional Type Ibn/IIn SN 2022pda, with pre-explosion outbursts and a double-peaked light curve

We report the results of a photometric and spectroscopic follow-up campaign of the unusual interacting supernova (SN) 2022pda. Precursor variability lasting $\sim 100$ days is observed before the explosion. The SN light curve has a double peak shape. It reached a first maximum of $M_{\rm{r}} = -19.6 \pm 0.2$\,mag, followed by an initial two-month decline and a second, broad peak lasting about six months. The early spectra show a blue continuum with dominant H and He emission lines. A high-resolution pre-maximum spectrum shows that the profile of the \Hei~$\lambda$5876 line consists of a moderately narrow ($\sim 1900$ \kms) P~Cygni absorption superposed on a broader ($\sim 3300$ \kms) component. In the blue region, several spectral features are identified, including C {\sc iii}/N {\sc iii}/O {\sc ii} blends. Two broad bumps at 4600--5200 \AA, 6400--6800~\AA\ regions reveal a complex profile, which are likely due to blends of H, He, and other emission lines. Late-time spectra are still dominated by prominent and broad H and He lines in emission. Shock-driven model fits to the bolometric light curve suggest that the SN is powered by interaction with a massive CSM with enhanced mass loss rates $\sim 5$ \msun yr$^{-1}$, expelled during two events occurred $\sim 1$ and $\sim 0.2$ years before the explosion. The overall SN evolution indicates that SN\,2022pda is a transitional event between a H-rich SN IIn (SN\,2009ip-like) and a He-rich SN Ibn. Our findings suggest that the progenitor was likely a Luminous Blue Variable transitioning towards a Wolf--Rayet stage.

astro-ph.HE

ENGRAVE follow-up of a type IIb supernova spatially coincident with the sub-threshold gravitational wave trigger S250818k

The candidate gravitational wave (GW) event S250818k was one of only three non-retracted LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA public alerts issued during the fourth observing run of the network (O4) with a binary neutron star (BNS) merger classification probability exceeding one percent. This triggered a prompt search for a potential electromagnetic (EM) counterpart in the large localisation error region (949 deg$^2$ projected in the sky at 90% credible level). The transient SN2025ulz, discovered by the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) during the search, attracted a great deal of attention due to a potential spatial and temporal coincidence, and due to its initial fast decay and featureless spectrum. Here, we report on the follow up of this transient by the Electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave sources at the Very Large Telescope (ENGRAVE) Collaboration. We conducted an extensive multi-wavelength observational campaign, which led to the spectral classification of the transient as a type IIb supernova (SN), indicating that it is unrelated to the candidate GW event. In this article, we describe our observing strategies, data reduction, and interpretation. All of our results confirm and strengthen our classification of the source, and also show that shock cooling tails associated with type IIb SNe are one of the most prominent contaminants in kilonova searches.

astro-ph.HE

The nearby He-rich superluminous supernova SN 2021bnw during photospheric phases

Aim. We present and interpret the data of the nearby hydrogen-deficient but helium-rich superluminous supernova SN 2021bnw which reached a magnitude of -20.7 at maximum luminosity in g band. Methods. We discuss the light curves and spectra of SN 2021bnw based on its spectro-photometric follow up exploiting different observational facilities. We reproduce the NIR spectrum of SN 2021bnw with TARDIS to inspect the chemical composition at late photospheric phases and identify helium features. We also use a STELLA model coupling hydrodynamics and radiation transport to constrain the physical parameters of the explosion assmunig a 56Ni+CSM scenario. Results. We suggest that SN 2021bnw was mainly powered by the interaction of the ejecta with a previously lost He-rich circumstellar material, coupled with a central power source. Conclusions. This work expands the data sample of He-rich superluminous supernovae rich (SLSNe Ib) and, assuming a single progenitor scenario, can constrain the masses and the physics of their progenitors.

astro-ph.HE

SN 2017ati: A luminous type IIb explosion from a massive progenitor

We present optical photometric and spectroscopic observations of the Type~IIb supernova (SN)~2017ati. It reached the maximum light at about 27~d after the explosion and the light curve shows a broad, luminous peak with an absolute $r$-band magnitude of $M_{r} = -18.48 \pm 0.16$~mag. At about 50~d after maximum light, SN~2017ati exhibits a decline rate close to that expected from the $^{56}$Co $\rightarrow$ $^{56}$Fe radioactive decay, at 0.98 mag per 100 days, as usually observed in SNe IIb. However, it remains systematically brighter at late times by about 1--2~mag, exceeding the usual upper luminosity range of this class. As a result, modelling the light curve of SN~2017ati with a standard $^{56}$Ni decay scenario requires a large nickel mass of up to $\sim0.37\,M_{\odot}$ and still fails to reproduce the early-time light curve adequately. In contrast, incorporating additional energy input from a magnetar yields a significantly improved fit to the light curve of SN~2017ati, which would reduce the nickel mass to $\sim0.21\,M_{\odot}$, still close to the upper end of the range typically inferred for SNe~IIb. Comparing the fitted results of SN~2017ati with the known sample of SNe~IIb indicates that its luminosity evolution is best explained by a combination of neutron star spin-down energy and radioactive nickel deposition. From late-time nebular spectra of SN~2017ati, the luminosity of the [\Oi]~$\lambda\lambda6300,6364$ doublet implies an oxygen mass of $\sim1.82-3.34\,M_{\odot}$, and the combination of a [\Caii]/[\Oi] flux ratio of $\sim0.5$ with nebular spectral model comparisons favours a progenitor zero-age main-sequence mass of $\geq17\,M_{\odot}$.

astro-ph.SR

SN 2022ngb: A faint, slowly evolving Type IIb supernova with a low-mass envelope

An extensive photometric and spectroscopic follow-up campaign of the Type IIb SN 2022ngb is presented in the article. Through detailed modeling of this dataset, we aim to constrain the key physical parameters of the explosion, infer the nature of the progenitor star and its environment, and probe the dynamical properties of the ejecta. We analyze photometric and spectroscopic data of SN 2022ngb. By constructing and modeling the bolometric light curve with semi-analytic models, we estimate the primary explosion parameters. The spectroscopic data are compared with those of well-studied SNe IIb and NLTE models to constrain the properties of the progenitor and the structure of the resulting ejecta. SN 2022ngb is a low-luminosity SN IIb with a peak bolometric luminosity of L_bol = 7.76 (+1.15/-1.00) x 10^41 erg/s and a V-band rising time of 24.32 +/- 0.50 days. Light curve modeling indicates an ejecta mass of ~2.9-3.2 M_sun, an explosion energy of ~1.4 x 10^51 erg, and a low synthesized 56Ni mass of ~0.045 M_sun. Nebular phase spectra exhibit asymmetric line profiles, pointing to a non-spherical explosion and an anisotropic distribution of radioactive material. Our analysis reveals a relatively compact stripped-envelope progenitor with a pre-SN mass of approximately 4.7 M_sun (corresponding to a 15-16 M_sun ZAMS star). Our analysis suggests that SN 2022ngb originated from the explosion of a moderate-mass relatively compact, stripped-envelope star in a binary system. The asymmetries inferred from the nebular phase spectral line features suggest a non-spherical explosion.

astro-ph.SR

Normal or transitional? The evolution and properties of two type Ia supernovae in the Virgo cluster

Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are among the most precise cosmological distance indicators used to study the expansion history of the Universe. The vast increase of SN Ia data due to large-scale astrophysical surveys has led to the discovery of a wide variety of SN Ia sub-classes, such as transitional and fast-declining SNe Ia. However, their distinct photometric and spectroscopic properties differentiate them from the population of normal SNe Ia such that their use as cosmological tools remains challenged. Here, we present a high-cadenced photometric and spectroscopic dataset of two SNe Ia, SNe 2020ue and 2020nlb, which were discovered in the nearby Virgo cluster of galaxies. Our study shows that SN 2020nlb is a normal SN Ia whose unusually red color is intrinsic, arising from a lower photospheric temperature rather than interstellar reddening, providing clear evidence that color diversity among normal SNe Ia can have a physical origin. In contrast, SN 2020ue has photometric properties, such as color evolution and light-curve decay rate, similar to those of transitional SNe, spectroscopically it is more aligned with normal SNe Ia. This is evident from spectroscopic indicators such as the pseudo-equivalent width of \ion{Si}{II} lines. Thus, such SNe Ia that are photometrically at the edge of the standard normal SNe Ia range may be missed in cosmological SNe Ia samples. Our results highlight that spectroscopic analysis of SNe Ia around peak brightness is crucial for identifying intrinsic color variations and constructing a more complete and physically homogeneous SN Ia sample for precision cosmology.

astro-ph.HE

SN 2016iog: A fast declining Type II-L supernova with an ultra-faint tail, persistently interacting with circumstellar material

We present optical photometric and spectroscopic observations of the rapidly declining Type IIL supernova (SN) 2016iog. SN 2016iog reached its peak $\sim$ 14 days after explosion, with an absolute magnitude in the $V$ band of $-18.64 \pm 0.15$ mag, followed by a steep decline of $8.85 \pm 0.15$~mag~(100\,d)$^{-1}$ post-peak. Such a high decline rate makes SN~2016iog one of the fastest declining Type~IIL SNe observed to date. The rapid rise in the light curve, combined with the nearly featureless continuum observed in the spectrum at +9.3 days, suggests the presence of interaction. In the recombination phase, we observed broad H$\alpha$ lines that persist at all epochs. In addition, the prominent double-peaked H$\alpha$ feature observed in the late-time spectrum (+190.8 days) is likely attributable either to significant dust formation within a cool dense shell or to asymmetric circumstellar material. These features suggest the presence of sustained interaction around SN~2016iog. We propose that the observed characteristics of SN~2016iog can be qualitatively explained by assuming a low-mass H-rich envelope surrounding a red supergiant progenitor star with low-density circumstellar material.

astro-ph.SR

Massive stars exploding in a He-rich circumstellar medium XII. SN 2024acyl: A fast, linearly declining Type Ibn supernova with early flash-ionisation features

We present a photometric and spectroscopic analysis of the Type Ibn supernova (SN) 2024acyl. It rises to an absolute magnitude peak of about -17.58 mag in 10.6 days, and displays a rapid linear post-peak light-curve decline in all bands, similar to most SNe Ibn. The optical pseudobolometric light curve peaks at $(3.5\pm0.8) \times 10^{42}$ erg s$^{-1}$, with a total radiated energy of $(5.0\pm0.4) \times 10^{48}$ erg. The spectra are dominated by a blue continuum at early stages, with narrow P Cygni He I lines and flash-ionisation emission lines of C III, N III, and He II. The P Cygni He I features gradually evolve and become emission-dominated in late-time spectra. Our multi-band light-curve modelling yields estimates of the ejecta mass of $M_{\rm ej} = 0.49^{+0.11}_{-0.09}$ M$_\odot$ with a kinetic energy of $E_{\rm k} = 0.06^{+0.01}_{-0.01} \times 10^{51}$ erg, and a $^{56}$Ni mass of $M_{\rm Ni} = 0.018$ M$_\odot$. The inferred CSM properties are characterised by a mass of $M_{\rm CSM} = 0.51^{+0.05}_{-0.04}$ M$_\odot$, an inner radius of $R_0 = 17.8^{+3.6}_{-3.0}$ AU, and a density of $\rho_{\rm CSM} =(8.3_{-1.2}^{+2.7})\times10^{-12}$ g cm$^{-3}$. The multi-epoch spectra are well reproduced by the CMFGEN/he4p0 model, corresponding to a He-ZAMS mass of 4 M$_\odot$ (H-ZAMS mass 18.11 M$_\odot$, pre-SN mass 3.16 M$_\odot$). These findings are consistent with a scenario of an SN powered by ejecta-CSM interaction, originating from a low-mass helium star that evolved within an interacting binary system where the CSM with some residual hydrogen may originate from the mass-transfer process. In addition, a channel of core-collapse explosion of a late-type Wolf-Rayet star with H, or an Ofpe/WN9 star with fallback accretion, cannot be entirely ruled out.

astro-ph.SR

SN2017ckj: A linearly declining Type IIb supernova with a relatively massive hydrogen envelope

We present optical observations of the Type IIb supernova (SN) 2017ckj, covering approximately 180 days after the explosion. Its early-time multi-band light curves display no clear evidence of a shock-cooling tail, resembling the behavior of SN2008ax. The $V$-band light curve exhibits a short rise time of about 5 days and reaches an absolute fitted peak magnitude of $M_{\rm V}=-18.49\pm0.18\mathrm{mag}$. The late-time multi-band light curves reveal a linear decline. We modelled the bolometric light curve of SN2017ckj to constrain the progenitor and the explosion parameters. We estimated a total mass of $\rm ^{56}Ni$ synthesized by SN2017ckj of $M_{\rm Ni} = 0.21^{+0.05}_{-0.03}\ M_\odot$, with a massive H-rich envelope of $M_{\rm env} = 0.4^{+0.1}_{-0.1}\ M_\odot$. Both the $\rm ^{56}Ni$ mass and the envelope mass of SN2017ckj are higher than those of typical SNe IIb, in agreement with its peculiar light curve evolution. The early-time spectra of SN2017ckj are dominated by a blue continuum, accompanied by narrow $\rm H_\alpha$ and \Heii emission lines. The earliest spectrum exhibits flash ionization features, from which we estimated a progenitor mass-loss rate of $\sim 3\times10^{-4}M_\odot \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$. At later epochs, the spectra develop broad P-Cygni profiles and become increasingly similar to those of SNe IIb, especially SN2018gk. The late-time spectrum at around 139 days does not show a distinct decline in the strength of $\rm H_\alpha$ emission profile, also indicating a relatively massive envelope of its progenitor. Aside from the $\rm H_\alpha$ feature, the nebular spectrum exhibits prominent emission lines of \Oi, \Caii, [\Caii], and \Mgi], which are consistent with the prototypical SN1993J.

astro-ph.SR

Identifying potential binary neutron star merger events from the Fermi GBM Gamma-Ray Burst Catalog

Short gamma-ray bursts are expected to be associated with compact object mergers, such as binary neutron star or neutron star-black hole systems, and are key high-energy multimessenger events. The detection of GRB 170817A, coinciding with the gravitational wave signal GW170817 from a BNS merger, confirmed the link between sGRBs and compact object mergers. Similarly, GRB 150101B displayed remarkable similarities to GRB 170817A, further supporting its association with compact binary mergers. The objective of this study is to uncover the intrinsic properties that differentiate merger-associated sGRBs from other GRBs by analyzing the Fermi GBM Burst Catalog and using GRB 170817A and GRB 150101B as reference events, enhancing our ability to select events from this class and promptly to search for their electromagnetic counterpart. We employed a clustering technique to classify GRBs based on their observed properties in gamma-rays (T90, Epeak and fluence). Prior to clustering, we tested three dimensionality reduction techniques, among which Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection demonstrated the best performance making it the preferred technique for our analysis. This combination of dimensionality reduction and clustering analysis allowed us to group GRBs with similar characteristics, with a focus on identifying those most likely associated with BNS mergers. Our analysis successfully identified a cluster of sGRBs events with characteristics consistent with sGRB merger-associated. A comparison between our sample of candidates and known kilonova candidates associated with sGRBs, identified through other methodologies, further validated our approach.

astro-ph.HE

Massive stars exploding in a He-rich circumstellar medium. XI. Diverse evolution of five Ibn SNe 2020nxt, 2020taz, 2021bbv, 2023utc and 2024aej

We present the photometric and spectroscopic analysis of five Type Ibn supernovae (SNe): SN 2020nxt, SN 2020taz, SN 2021bbv, SN 2023utc, and SN 2024aej. These events share key observational features and belong to a family of objects similar to the prototypical Type Ibn SN 2006jc. The SNe exhibit rise times of approximately 10 days and peak absolute magnitudes ranging from $-$16.5 to $-$19 mag. Notably, SN 2023utc is the faintest Type Ibn supernova discovered to date, with an exceptionally low r-band absolute magnitude of $-16.4$ mag. The pseudo-bolometric light curves peak at $(1-10) \times 10^{42}$ erg s$^{-1}$, with total radiated energies on the order of $(1-10) \times 10^{48}$ erg. Spectroscopically, these SNe display relatively slow spectral evolution; the early spectra are characterised by a hot blue continuum and prominent He I emission lines. Early spectra show blackbody temperatures exceeding $10000~\mathrm{K}$, with a subsequent decline in temperature during later phases. Narrow He I lines, indicative of unshocked circumstellar material (CSM), show velocities of approximately $1000~\mathrm{km~s^{-1}}$. The spectra suggest that the progenitors of these SNe underwent significant mass loss prior to the explosion, resulting in a He-rich CSM. Light curve modelling yields estimates for the ejecta mass ($M_{\rm ej}$) in the range $1-3~M_{\odot}$, with kinetic energies ($E_{\rm Kin}$) of $(0.1-1) \times 10^{50}$ erg. The inferred CSM mass ranges from $0.2$ to $1~M_{\odot}$. These findings are consistent with expectations for core-collapse events arising from relatively massive, envelope-stripped progenitors.

astro-ph.HE

VSTPOL: making the VST a large survey telescope for optical polarimetry

Since the start of operations in 2011, the VLT Survey Telescope (VST) has been one of the most efficient wide-field imagers in the optical bands. However, in the next years the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) will be a game-changer in this field. Hence, the timing is appropriate for specializing the VST with additions that can make it unique in well-defined scientific cases. VSTPOL is a project that aims to provide the addition of wide-field polarimetric capabilities to the VST telescope, making it the first large survey telescope for linear optical polarimetry. Actually, while there are quite a number of optical telescopes, the telescopes providing polarimetric instrumentation are just a few. The number of relatively large mirror polarimetric telescopes is small, although they would be specifically needed e.g. to support many science cases of the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) that, in the southern hemisphere, is co-located with the VST. The VST telescope is equipped with a single instrument, the OmegaCAM wide-field imaging camera operating in the visible bands with a field of view of 1$^\circ\times1^\circ$. The polarimetric mode will be implemented through the insertion of a large rotatable polarizer installed on the field-corrector optics, which will be exchangeable with the non-polarimetric corrector optics. The limiting polarimetric systematic errors due to variable atmospheric conditions and instrumental polarization can be corrected down to a level of $\sim10^{-3}$ by leveraging the large amount of unpolarized stars within each field-of-view. By the user point of view, VSTPOL will be an additional mode for the VST wide-field imaging camera.

astro-ph.IM

Euclid: Quick Data Release (Q1) -- Photometric studies of known transients

We report on serendipitous Euclid observations of previously known transients, using the Euclid Q1 data release. By cross-matching with the Transient Name Server (TNS) we identify 164 transients that coincide with the data release. Although the Euclid Q1 release only includes single-epoch data, we are able to make Euclid photometric measurements at the location of 161 of these transients. Euclid obtained deep photometric measurements or upper limits of these transients in the $I_E$, $Y_E$, $J_E$, and $H_E$ bands at various phases of the transient light-curves, including before, during, and after the observations of ground-based transient surveys. Approximately 70\% of known transients reported in the six months before the Euclid observation date and with discovery magnitude brighter than 24 were detected in Euclid $\IE$ images. Our observations include one of the earliest near-infrared detections of a Type~Ia supernova (SN 2024pvw) 15 days prior to its peak brightness, and the late-phase (435.9 days post peak) observations of the enigmatic core-collapse SN 2023aew. Euclid deep photometry provides valuable information on the nature of these transients such as their progenitor systems and power sources, with late time observations being a uniquely powerful contribution. In addition, Euclid is able to detect the host galaxies of some transients that were previously classed as hostless. The Q1 data demonstrate the power of the Euclid data even with only single-epoch observations available, as will be the case for much larger areas of sky in the Euclid Wide Survey.

astro-ph.SR

On the diversity of strongly-interacting Type IIn supernovae

Massive stars experience strong mass-loss, producing a dense, H-rich circumstellar medium (CSM). After the explosion, the collision and continued interaction of the supernova (SN) ejecta with the CSM power the light curve through the conversion of kinetic energy into radiation. When the interaction is strong, the light curve shows a broad peak and high luminosity lasting for a relatively long time. Also the spectral evolution is slower, compared to non-interacting SNe. Energetic shocks between the ejecta and the CSM create the ideal conditions for particle acceleration and production of high-energy (HE) neutrinos above 1 TeV. In this paper, we study four strongly-interacting Type IIn SNe: 2021acya, 2021adxl, 2022qml, and 2022wed to highlight their peculiar characteristics, derive the kinetic energy of the explosion and the characteristics of the CSM, infer clues on the possible progenitors and their environment and relate them to the production of HE neutrinos. The SNe analysed in this sample exploded in dwarf, star-forming galaxies and they are consistent with energetic explosions and strong interaction with the surrounding CSM. For SNe 2021acya and 2022wed, we find high CSM masses and mass-loss rates, linking them to very massive progenitors. For SN 2021adxl, the spectral analysis and less extreme CSM mass suggest a stripped-envelope massive star as possible progenitor. SN 2022qml is marginally consistent with being a Type Ia thermonuclear explosion embedded in a dense CSM. The mass-loss rates for all SNe are consistent with the expulsion of several solar masses of material during eruptive episodes in the last few decades before the explosion. Finally, we find that the SNe in our sample are marginally consistent with HE neutrino production.

astro-ph.HE

Massive stars exploding in a He-rich circumstellar medium $-$ X. Flash spectral features in the Type Ibn SN 2019cj and observations of SN 2018jmt

We present optical and near-infrared observations of two Type Ibn supernovae (SNe), SN 2018jmt and SN 2019cj. Their light curves have rise times of about 10 days, reaching an absolute peak magnitude of $M_g$(SN 2018jmt) = $-$19.07 $\pm$ 0.37 and $M_V$(SN 2019cj) = $-$18.94 $\pm$ 0.19 mag, respectively. The early-time spectra of SN 2018jmt are dominated by a blue continuum, accompanied by narrow (600$-$1000 km~s$^{-1}$) He I lines with P-Cygni profile. At later epochs, the spectra become more similar to those of the prototypical SN Ibn 2006jc. At early phases, the spectra of SN 2019cj show flash ionisation emission lines of C III, N III and He II superposed on a blue continuum. These features disappear after a few days, and then the spectra of SN 2019cj evolve similarly to those of SN 2018jmt. The spectra indicate that the two SNe exploded within a He-rich circumstellar medium (CSM) lost by the progenitors a short time before the explosion. We model the light curves of the two SNe Ibn to constrain the progenitor and the explosion parameters. The ejecta masses are consistent with either that expected for a canonical SN Ib ($\sim$ 2 M$_{\odot}$) or those from a massive WR star ($>$ $\sim$ 4 M$_{\odot}$), with the kinetic energy on the order of $10^{51}$ erg. The lower limit on the ejecta mass ($>$ $\sim$ 2 M$_{\odot}$) argues against a scenario involving a relatively low-mass progenitor (e.g., $M_{ZAMS}$ $\sim$ 10 M$_{\odot}$). We set a conservative upper limit of $\sim$0.1 M$_{\odot}$ for the $^{56}$Ni masses in both SNe. From the light curve modelling, we determine a two-zone CSM distribution, with an inner, flat CSM component, and an outer CSM with a steeper density profile. The physical properties of SN 2018jmt and SN 2019cj are consistent with those expected from the core collapse of relatively massive, stripped-envelope (SE) stars.

astro-ph.HE

A study in scarlet -- I. Photometric properties of a sample of Intermediate Luminosity Red Transients

We investigate the photometric characteristics of a sample of Intermediate Luminosity Red Transients (ILRTs), a class of elusive objects with peak luminosity between that of classical novae and standard supernovae. We present the multi-wavelength photometric follow-up of four ILRTs, namely NGC 300 2008OT-1, AT 2019abn, AT 2019ahd and AT 2019udc. Through the analysis and modelling of their spectral energy distribution and bolometric light curves we infer the physical parameters associated with these transients. All four objects display a single peaked light curve which ends in a linear decline in magnitudes at late phases. A flux excess with respect to a single black body emission is detected in the infrared domain for three objects in our sample, a few months after maximum. This feature, commonly found in ILRTs, is interpreted as a sign of dust formation. Mid infrared monitoring of NGC 300 2008OT-1 761 days after maximum allows us to infer the presence of $\sim$10$^{-3}$-10$^{-5}$ M$_{\odot}$ of dust, depending on the chemical composition and the grain size adopted. The late time decline of the bolometric light curves of the considered ILRTs is shallower than expected for $^{56}$Ni decay, hence requiring an additional powering mechanism. James Webb Space Telescope observations of AT 2019abn prove that the object has faded below its progenitor luminosity in the mid-infrared domain, five years after its peak. Together with the disappearance of NGC 300 2008OT-1 in Spitzer images seven years after its discovery, this supports the terminal explosion scenario for ILRTs. With a simple semi-analytical model we try to reproduce the observed bolometric light curves in the context of few M$_{\odot}$ of material ejected at few 10$^{3}$ km s$^{-1}$ and enshrouded in an optically thick circumstellar medium.

astro-ph.SR