arXiv subjects

M. M. Phillips

Publications and source records attributed to M. M. Phillips.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Strong Near-Infrared Carbon Absorption in the Transitional Type Ia SN 2015bp

Unburned carbon is potentially a powerful probe of Type Ia supernova (SN) explosion mechanisms. We present comprehensive optical and near-infrared (NIR) data on the "transitional" Type Ia SN 2015bp. An early NIR spectrum ($t = -$9.9 days with respect to B-band maximum) displays a striking C I $\lambda1.0693\,μ\rm{m}$ line at $11.9 \times 10^3$~km s$^{-1}$, distinct from the prominent Mg II $\lambda1.0927\,μ\rm{m}$ feature, which weakens toward maximum light. SN 2015bp also displays a clear C II $\lambda6580$A notch early ($t = -10.9$ days) at $13.2 \times 10^3$~km s$^{-1}$, consistent with our NIR carbon detection. At $M_B = -$18.46, SN 2015bp is less luminous than a normal SN Ia and, along with iPTF13ebh, is the second member of the transitional subclass to display prominent early-time NIR carbon absorption. We find it unlikely that the C I feature is misidentified He I $\lambda1.0830\,μ\rm{m}$ because this feature grows weaker toward maximum light, while the helium line produced in some double-detonation models grows stronger at these times. Intrigued by these strong NIR carbon detections, but lacking NIR data for other SNe Ia, we investigated the incidence of optical carbon in the sample of nine transitional SNe Ia with early-time data ($t \lesssim-$4 days). We find that four display C II $λ$6580A, while two others show tentative detections, in line with the SN Ia population as a whole. We conclude that at least $\sim$50% of transitional SNe Ia in our sample do not come from sub-Chandrasekhar mass explosions due to the clear presence of carbon in their NIR and optical spectra.

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arXiv2021

SN 2013ai: a link between hydrogen-rich and hydrogen-poor core-collapse supernovae

We present a study of optical and near-infrared (NIR) spectra along with the light curves of SN 2013ai. These data range from discovery until 380 days after explosion. SN 2013ai is a fast declining type II supernova (SN II) with an unusually long rise time; $18.9\pm2.7$d in $V$ band and a bright $V$ band peak absolute magnitude of $-18.7\pm0.06$ mag. The spectra are dominated by hydrogen features in the optical and NIR. The spectral features of SN 2013ai are unique in their expansion velocities, which when compared to large samples of SNe II are more than 1,000 kms faster at 50 days past explosion. In addition, the long rise time of the light curve more closely resembles SNe IIb rather than SNe II. If SN 2013ai is coeval with a nearby compact cluster we infer a progenitor ZAMS mass of $\sim$17 M$_\odot$. After performing light curve modeling we find that SN 2013ai could be the result of the explosion of a star with little hydrogen mass, a large amount of synthesized $^{56}$Ni, 0.3-0.4 M$_\odot$, and an explosion energy of $2.5-3.0\times10^{51}$ ergs. The density structure and expansion velocities of SN 2013ai are similar to that of the prototypical SN IIb, SN 1993J. However, SN 2013ai shows no strong helium features in the optical, likely due to the presence of a dense core that prevents the majority of $γ$-rays from escaping to excite helium. Our analysis suggests that SN 2013ai could be a link between SNe II and stripped envelope SNe.

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arXiv2020

The early discovery of SN 2017ahn: signatures of persistent interaction in a fast declining Type II supernova

We present high-cadence, comprehensive data on the nearby ($D\simeq33\,\rm{Mpc}$) Type II SN 2017ahn, discovered within $\sim$1 day of explosion, from the very early phases after explosion to the nebular phase. The observables of SN 2017ahn show a significant evolution over the $\simeq470\,\rm{d}$ of our follow-up campaign, first showing prominent, narrow Balmer lines and other high-ionization features purely in emission (i.e. flash spectroscopy features), which progressively fade and lead to a spectroscopic evolution similar to that of more canonical Type II supernovae. Over the same period, the decline of the light curves in all bands is fast, resembling the photometric evolution of linearly declining H-rich core-collapse supernovae. The modeling of the light curves and early flash spectra suggest a complex circumstellar medium surrounding the progenitor star at the time of explosion, with a first dense shell produced during the very late stages of its evolution being swept up by the rapidly expanding ejecta within the first $\sim6\,\rm{d}$ of the supernova evolution, while signatures of interaction are observed also at later phases. Hydrodynamical models support the scenario in which linearly declining Type II supernovae are predicted to arise from massive yellow super/hyper giants depleted of most of their hydrogen layers.

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arXiv2020

The Carnegie Supernova Project II. Observations of the intermediate luminosity red transient SNhunt120

We present multi-wavelength observations of two gap transients followed by the Carnegie Supernova Project-II and supplemented with data obtained by a number of different programs. Here in the first of two papers, we focus on the intermediate luminosity red transient (ILRT) designated SNhunt120, while in a companion paper we examine the luminous red novae AT 2014ej. Our data set for SNhunt120 consists of an early optical discovery, estimated to be within 3 days after outburst, the subsequent optical and near-infrared broadband followup extending over a $\sim$2 month period, two visual- and two near-infrared wavelength spectra, and Spitzer Space Telescope observations extending from early ($+$28 d) to late ($+$1155 d) phases. SNhunt120 resembles other ILRTs such as NGC 300-2008-OT and SN 2008S, and like these other ILRTs, SNhunt120 exhibits prevalent mid-infrared emission at both early and late phases. From the comparison of SNhunt120 and other ILRTs to electron-capture supernova simulations, we find that the current models underestimate the explosion kinetic energy and thereby produce synthetic light curves that over-estimate the luminosity. Finally, examination of pre-outburst Hubble Space Telescope images yields no progenitor detection.

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arXiv2020

The Carnegie Supernova Project II. Observations of the luminous red nova AT 2014ej

We present optical and near-infrared broadband photometry and optical spectra of AT 2014ej from the the Carnegie Supernova Project-II. These observations are complemented with data from the CHilean Automatic Supernova sEarch, the Public ESO Spectroscopic Survey of Transient Objects, and from the Backyard Observatory Supernova Search. Observational signatures of AT 2014ej reveal that it is similar to other members of the gap-transient subclass known as luminous red novae (LRNe), including the ubiquitous double hump light curve and spectral properties akin to the LRN SN 2017jfs. A medium-dispersion, visual-wavelength spectrum of AT 2014ej taken the Magellan Clay telescope, exhibits a P Cygni H$α$ feature characterized by a blue velocity at zero intensity of $\approx 110$ km s$^{-1}$ and a P Cygni minimum velocity of $\approx70$ km s$^{-1}$, and which we attribute to emission from a circumstellar wind. Inspection of pre-outbust Hubble Space Telescope images yields no conclusive progenitor detection. In comparison with a sample of LRNe from the literature, AT 2014ej lies among the brighter end of the luminosity distribution. Comparison of the ultra-violet, optical, infrared (UVOIR) light curves of well-observed LRNe to common-envelope evolution models from the literature, indicates the models under predict the luminosity of the comparison sample at all phases and also produce inconsistent time-scales of the secondary peak. Future efforts to model LRNe should expand upon the current parameter space explored and therefore may consider more massive systems and a wider range of dynamical timescales.

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arXiv2020

Carnegie Supernova Project: Classification of Type Ia Supernovae

We use the spectroscopy and homogeneous photometry of 97 Type Ia supernovae obtained by the \emph{Carnegie Supernova Project} as well as a subset of 36 Type Ia supernovae presented by Zheng et al. (2018) to examine maximum-light correlations in a four-dimensional (4-D) parameter space: $B$-band absolute magnitude, $M_B$, \ion{Si}{2}~$\lambda6355$ velocity, \vsi, and \ion{Si}{2} pseudo-equivalent widths pEW(\ion{Si}{2}~$\lambda6355$) and pEW(\ion{Si}{2}~$\lambda5972$). It is shown using Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) that the original four groups in the Branch diagram are well-defined and robust in this parameterization. We find three continuous groups that describe the behavior of our sample in [$M_B$, \vsi] space. Extending the GMM into the full 4-D space yields a grouping system that only slightly alters group definitions in the [$M_B$, \vsi] projection, showing that most of the clustering information in [$M_B$, \vsi] is already contained in the 2-D GMM groupings. However, the full 4-D space does divide group membership for faster objects between core-normal and broad-line objects in the Branch diagram. A significant correlation between $M_B$ and pEW(\ion{Si}{2}~$\lambda5972$) is found, which implies that Branch group membership can be well-constrained by spectroscopic quantities alone. In general, we find that higher-dimensional GMMs reduce the uncertainty of group membership for objects between the originally defined Branch groups. We also find that the broad-line Branch group becomes nearly distinct with the inclusion of \vsi, indicating that this subclass of SNe Ia may be somehow different from the other groups.

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arXiv2020

The Carnegie Supernova Project-I: Correlation Between Type Ia Supernovae and Their Host Galaxies from Optical to Near-Infrared Bands

We present optical and near-infrared ($ugriYJH$) photometry of host galaxies of Type Ia supernovae (SN~Ia) observed by the \textit{Carnegie Supernova Project-I}. We determine host galaxy stellar masses and, for the first time, study their correlation with SN~Ia standardized luminosity across optical and near-infrared ($uBgVriYJH$) bands. In the individual bands, we find that SNe~Ia are more luminous in more massive hosts with luminosity offsets ranging between $-0.07 \pm0.03$ mag to $-0.15\pm0.04$ mag after light-curve standardization. The slope of the SN~Ia Hubble residual-host mass relation is negative across all $uBgVriYJH$ bands with values ranging between $-0.036\pm 0.025$ mag/dex to $-0.097\pm 0.027$ mag/dex -- implying that SNe~Ia in more massive galaxies are brighter than expected. The near-constant observed correlations across optical and near-infrared bands indicate that dust may not play a significant role in the observed luminosity offset--host mass correlation. We measure projected separations between SNe~Ia and their host centers, and find that SNe~Ia that explode beyond a projected 10 kpc have a $\rm 30\% \ to \ 50\%$ reduction of the dispersion in Hubble residuals across all bands -- making them a more uniform subset of SNe~Ia. Dust in host galaxies, peculiar velocities of nearby SN~Ia, or a combination of both may drive this result as the color excesses of SNe~Ia beyond 10 kpc are found to be generally lower than those interior, but there is also a diminishing trend of the dispersion as we exclude nearby events. We do not find that SN~Ia average luminosity varies significantly when they are grouped in various host morphological types. Host galaxy data from this work will be useful, in conjunction with future high-redshift samples, in constraining cosmological parameters.

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arXiv2020

Carnegie Supernova Project II: The slowest rising Type Ia supernova LSQ14fmg and clues to the origin of super-Chandrasekhar/03fg-like events

The Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) LSQ14fmg exhibits exaggerated properties which may help to reveal the origin of the "super-Chandrasekhar" (or 03fg-like) group. The optical spectrum is typical of a 03fg-like SN Ia, but the light curves are unlike those of any SNe Ia observed. The light curves of LSQ14fmg rise extremely slowly. At -23 rest-frame days relative to B-band maximum, LSQ14fmg is already brighter than $M_V$=-19 mag before host extinction correction. The observed color curves show a flat evolution from the earliest observation to approximately one week after maximum. The near-infrared light curves peak brighter than -20.5 mag in the J and H bands, far more luminous than any 03fg-like SNe Ia with near-infrared observations. At one month past maximum, the optical light curves decline rapidly. The early, slow rise and flat color evolution are interpreted to result from an additional excess flux from a power source other than the radioactive decay of the synthesized $^{56}Ni$. The excess flux matches the interaction with a typical superwind of an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star in density structure, mass-loss rate, and duration. The rapid decline starting at around one month past B-band maximum may be an indication of rapid cooling by active carbon monoxide (CO) formation, which requires a low temperature and high density environment. These peculiarities point to an AGB progenitor near the end of its evolution and the core degenerate scenario as the likely explosion mechanism for LSQ14fmg.

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arXiv2020

The Carnegie Supernova Project II. Observations of SN 2014ab possibly revealing a 2010jl-like SN IIn with pre-existing dust

We present optical and near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy of the Type IIn supernova (SN) 2014ab, obtained by the Carnegie Supernova Project II (CSP-II) and initiated immediately after its optical discovery. We also present mid-infrared photometry obtained by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) satellite extending from 56 days prior to the optical discovery to over 1600 days. The light curve of SN 2014ab evolves slowly, while the spectra exhibit strong emission features produced from the interaction between rapidly expanding ejecta and dense circumstellar matter. The light curve and spectral properties are very similar to those of SN 2010jl. The estimated mass-loss rate of the progenitor of SN 2014ab is of the order of 0.1 Msun/yr under the assumption of spherically symmetric circumstellar matter and steady mass loss. Although the mid-infrared luminosity increases due to emission from dust, which is characterized by a blackbody temperature close to the dust evaporation temperature (~ 2000 K), no clear signatures of in situ dust formation within the cold dense shell located behind the forward shock are observed in SN 2014ab in early phases. Mid-infrared emission of SN 2014ab may originate from pre-existing dust located within dense circumstellar matter that is heated by the SN shock or shock-driven radiation. Finally, for the benefit of the community, we also present in an Appendix five near-infrared spectra of SN 2010jl obtained between 450 to 1300 days post discovery.

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arXiv2020

Luminous Type II supernovae for their low expansion velocities

We present optical and near-IR data of three Type II supernovae (SNe II), SN 2008bm, SN 2009aj, and SN 2009au. These SNe display the following common characteristics: signs of early interaction of the ejecta with circumstellar material (CSM), blue $B\!-\!V$ colours, weakness of metal lines, low expansion velocities, and $V$-band absolute magnitudes 2-3 mag brighter than those expected for normal SNe II based on their expansion velocities. Two more SNe reported in the literature (SN 1983K and LSQ13fn) share properties similar to our sample. Analysing this set of five SNe II, which are luminous for their low expansion velocities (LLEV), we find that their properties can be reproduced assuming ejecta-CSM interaction that lasts between 4-11 weeks post explosion. The contribution of this interaction to the radiation field seems to be the dominant component determining the observed weakness of metal lines in the spectra rather than the progenitor metallicity. Based on hydrodynamic simulations, we find that the interaction of the ejecta with a CSM of ~3.6 M$_\odot$ can reproduce the light curves and expansion velocities of SN 2009aj. Using data collected by the Chilean Automatic Supernova Search, we estimate an upper limit for the LLEV SNe II fraction to be 2-4 per cent of all normal SNe II. With the current data-set, it is not clear whether the LLEV events are a separated class of SNe II with a different progenitor system, or whether they are the extreme of a continuum mediated by CSM interaction with the rest of the normal SN II population.

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arXiv2020

Carnegie Supernova Project-II: A new method to photometrically identify sub-types of extreme Type Ia Supernovae

We present a new method to photometrically delineate between various sub-types of type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). Using the color-stretch parameters, $s_{BV}$ or $s_{gr}$, and the time of i-band primary maximum relative to the B-band or g-band maximum it is demonstrated that 2003fg-like, 1991bg-like, and 2002cx-like SNe Ia can readily be identified. In the cases of these extreme SNe Ia, their primary i-band maximum occurs after the time of the B or g band maxima. We suggest that the timing of the i-band maximum can reveal the physical state of the SN Ia explosion as it traces: i) the speed of the recombination front of iron group elements in the ejecta, ii) the temperature evolution and rate of adiabatic cooling in the ejecta and, iii) the presence of interaction with a stellar envelope. This photometric sub-typing can be used in conjunction with other SNe analysis, such as the Branch diagram, to examine the physics and diversity of SNe Ia. The results here can also be used to screen out non-Ia SNe from cosmological samples that do not have complete spectroscopic typing. Finally, as future surveys like LSST create large databases of light curves of many objects this photometric identification can be used to readily identify and study the rates and bulk properties of peculiar SNe Ia.

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arXiv2020

The Carnegie Supernova Project II. The shock wave revealed through the fog: The strongly interacting Type IIn SN 2013L

We present ultra-violet to mid-infrared observations of the long-lasting Type IIn supernova (SN) 2013L obtained by the Carnegie Supernova Project II (CSP-II). The spectra of SN 2013L are dominated by H emission features characterized by three components attributed to different regions. A unique feature of this Type IIn SN is that the blue shifted line profile is dominated by the macroscopic velocity of the expanding shock wave of the SN. We are therefore able to trace the evolution of the shock velocity in the dense and partially opaque circumstellar medium (CSM), from $\sim 4800~km~s^{-1}$ at +48 d, decreasing as $t^{-0.23}$ to $\sim 2700~km~s^{-1}$ after a year. We perform spectral modeling of both the broad- and intermediate-velocity components of the H$α$ line profile. The high-velocity component is consistent with emission from a radially thin, spherical shell located behind the expanding shock with emission wings broadened by electron scattering. We propose that the intermediate component originates from pre-ionized gas from the unshocked dense CSM with the same velocity as the narrow component, $\sim 100~km~s^{-1}$, but also broadened by electron scattering. The spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of SN 2013L after +132 d are well reproduced by a two-component black-body (BB) model. The circumstellar-interaction model of the bolometric light curve reveals a mass-loss rate history with large values ($1.7\times 10^{-2} - 0.15~M_\odot~yr^{-1}$) over the $\sim $25 - 40 years before explosion. The drop in the light curve at $\sim 350$ days and presence of electron scattering wings at late epochs indicate an anisotropic CSM. The mass-loss rate values and the unshocked CSM velocity are consistent with the characteristics of a massive star, such as a luminous blue variable (LBV) undergoing strong eruptions, similar to $η$ Carina.

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arXiv2020

The SPIRITS sample of Luminous Infrared Transients: Uncovering Hidden Supernovae and Dusty Stellar Outbursts in Nearby Galaxies

We present a systematic study of the most luminous ($M_{\mathrm{IR}}$ [Vega magnitudes] brighter than $-14$) infrared (IR) transients discovered by the SPitzer InfraRed Intensive Transients Survey (SPIRITS) between 2014 and 2018 in nearby galaxies ($D < 35$ Mpc). The sample consists of nine events that span peak IR luminosities of $M_{[4.5],\mathrm{peak}}$ between $-14$ and $-18.2$, show IR colors between $0.2 < ([3.6]{-}[4.5]) < 3.0$, and fade on timescales between $55$ days $< t_{\mathrm{fade}} < 480$ days. The two reddest events ($A_V > 12$) show multiple, luminous IR outbursts over several years and have directly detected, massive progenitors in archival imaging. With analyses of extensive, multiwavelength follow-up, we suggest the following possible classifications: five obscured core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe), two erupting massive stars, one luminous red nova, and one intermediate-luminosity red transient. We define a control sample of all optically discovered transients recovered in SPIRITS galaxies and satisfying the same selection criteria. The control sample consists of eight CCSNe and one Type Iax SN. We find that 7 of the 13 CCSNe in the SPIRITS sample have lower bounds on their extinction of $2 < A_V < 8$. We estimate a nominal fraction of CCSNe in nearby galaxies that are missed by optical surveys as high as $38.5^{+26.0}_{-21.9}$% (90% confidence). This study suggests that a significant fraction of CCSNe may be heavily obscured by dust and therefore undercounted in the census of nearby CCSNe from optical searches.

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arXiv2019

Variable H$α$ Emission in the Nebular Spectra of the Low-Luminosity Type Ia SN2018cqj/ATLAS18qtd

We present optical photometry and spectroscopy of the Type Ia supernova SN2018cqj/ATLAS18qtd. The supernova exploded in an isolated region at $\sim 65$~kpc from the S0 galaxy IC~550 at $z=0.0165$ ($D\approx 74$~Mpc) and has a redshift consistent with a physical association to this galaxy. Multicolor photometry show that SN2018cqj/ATLAS18qtd is a low-luminosity ($M_{B_{max}}\approx -17.9$ mag), fast-declining Type Ia with color stretch $s_{BV} \approx 0.6$ and $B$-band decline rate $Δm_{15}(B) \approx 1.77$ mag. Two nebular-phase spectra obtained as part of the 100IAS survey at +193 and +307 days after peak show the clear detection of a narrow H$α$ line in emission that is resolved in the first spectrum with $\rm FWHM \approx 1200$ km s$^{-1}$ and $L_{Hα} \approx 3.8\times 10^{37}$ erg s$^{-1}$. The detection of a resolved H$α$ line with a declining luminosity is broadly consistent with recent models where hydrogen is stripped from the non-degenerate companion in a single-degenerate progenitor system. However, the amount of hydrogen consistent with the luminosities of the H$α$ line would be $\sim 10^{-3}$ M$_{\odot}$, significantly less than theoretical model predictions in the classical single-degenerate progenitor systems. SN2018cqj/ATLAS18qtd is the second low-luminosity, fast-declining Type Ia SN after SN2018fhw/ASASSN-18tb that shows narrow H$α$ in emission in its nebular-phase spectra.

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arXiv2019

The Carnegie Supernova Project II. Early observations and progenitor constraints of the Type Ib supernova LSQ13abf

Supernova LSQ13abf was discovered soon after explosion by the La Silla-QUEST Survey and followed by the CSP II at optical and near-IR wavelengths. Our analysis indicates LSQ13abf was discovered within two days of explosion and its first 10 days of evolution reveal a B-band light curve with an abrupt drop in luminosity. Contemporaneously, the V-band light curve exhibits a rise towards a first peak and the r- and i-band light curves show no early peak. The early light-curve evolution of LSQ13abf is reminiscent of the post explosion cooling phase observed in the Type Ib SN 2008D, and the similarity between the two objects extends over weeks. Spectroscopically, LSQ13abf resembles SN 2008D with P Cygni He I features that strengthen over time. Spectral energy distributions are constructed from broad-band photometry, and by fitting black-body (BB) functions a UVOIR light curve is constructed, and the underlying BB-temperature and BB-radius profiles are estimated. Explosion parameters are estimated by simultaneously fitting an Arnett model to the UVOIR light curve and the velocity evolution derived from spectral features, and a post-shock breakout cooling model to the first two epochs of the bolometric evolution. This combined model suggests an explosion energy of 1.3x10$^{51}$ ergs, a relatively high ejecta mass of 5.94 M$_{\odot}$, a Ni mass of 0.16 M$_{\odot}$, and a progenitor-star radius of 28.0 R$_{\odot}$. The ejecta mass suggests the origins of LSQ13abf lie with a >25 M$_{\odot}$ ZAMS progenitor and its radius is three and nine times larger than values estimated from the same analysis applied to observations of SNe 2008D and 1999ex, respectively. Alternatively, comparison of hydrodynamical simulations of >20-25 M$_{\odot}$ ZAMS progenitors that evolve to pre-SN envelope masses around 10 M$_{\odot}$ and extended (~100 R$_{\odot}$) envelopes also match the observations of LSQ13abf.

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arXiv2019

Nebular Spectra of 111 Type Ia Supernovae Disfavor Single Degenerate Progenitors

We place statistical constraints on Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) progenitors using 227 nebular phase spectra of 111 SNe Ia. We find no evidence of stripped companion emission in any of the nebular phase spectra. Upper limits are placed on the amount of mass that could go undetected in each spectrum using recent hydrodynamic simulations. With these null detections, we place an observational $3σ$ upper limit on the fraction of SNe Ia that are produced through the classical H-rich non-degenerate companion scenario of < 5.5%. Additionally, we set a tentative $3σ$ upper limit on He star progenitor scenarios of < 6.4%, although further theoretical modelling is required. These limits refer to our most representative sample including normal, 91bg-like, 91T-like, and "Super Chandrasekhar" \sne but excluding SNe Iax and SNe Ia-CSM. As part of our analysis, we also derive a Nebular Phase Phillips Relation, which approximates the brightness of a SN Ia from $150-500$~days after maximum using the peak magnitude and decline rate parameter $Δm_{15} (B)$.

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arXiv2019

Carnegie Supernova Project-II: Near-infrared Spectroscopic Diversity of Type II Supernovae

We present $81$ near-infrared (NIR) spectra of $30$ Type II supernovae (SNe II) from the Carnegie Supernova Project-II (CSP-II), the largest such dataset published to date. We identify a number of NIR features and characterize their evolution over time. The NIR spectroscopic properties of SNe II fall into two distinct groups. This classification is first based on the strength of the He I $\lambda1.083\,μ$m absorption during the plateau phase; SNe II are either significantly above (spectroscopically strong) or below $50$ angstroms (spectroscopically weak) in pseudo equivalent width. However between the two groups, other properties, such as the timing of CO formation and the presence of Sr II, are also observed. Most surprisingly, the distinct weak and strong NIR spectroscopic classes correspond to SNe II with slow and fast declining light curves, respectively. These two photometric groups match the modern nomenclature of SNe IIP and IIL. Including NIR spectra previously published, 18 out of 19 SNe II follow this slow declining-spectroscopically weak and fast declining-spectroscopically strong correspondence. This is in apparent contradiction to the recent findings in the optical that slow and fast decliners show a continuous distribution of properties. The weak SNe II show a high-velocity component of helium that may be caused by a thermal excitation from a reverse-shock created by the outer ejecta interacting with the red supergiant wind, but the origin of the observed dichotomy is not understood. Further studies are crucial in determining whether the apparent differences in the NIR are due to distinct physical processes or a gap in the current data set.

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arXiv2019

A luminous stellar outburst during a long-lasting eruptive phase first, and then SN IIn 2018cnf

We present the results of the monitoring campaign of the Type IIn supernova (SN) 2018cnf (aka ASASSN-18mr). It was discovered about 10 days before the maximum light (on MJD = 58293.4+-5.7 in the V band, with MV = -18.13+-0.15 mag). The multiband light curves show an immediate post-peak decline with some minor luminosity fluctuations, followed by a flattening starting about 40 days after maximum. The early spectra are relatively blue and show narrow Balmer lines with P Cygni profiles. Additionally, Fe II, O I, He I and Ca II are detected. The spectra show little evolution with time, with intermediate-width features becoming progressively more prominent, indicating stronger interaction of the SN ejecta with the circumstellar medium. The inspection of archival images from the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) survey has revealed a variable source at the SN position, with a brightest detection in December 2015 at Mr = -14.66+-0.17 mag. This was likely an eruptive phase from the massive progenitor star started from at least mid-2011, and that produced the circumstellar environment within which the star exploded as a Type IIn SN. The overall properties of SN 2018cnf closely resemble those of transients such as SN 2009ip. This similarity favours a massive hypergiant, perhaps a luminous blue variable, as progenitor for SN 2018cnf.

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