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1. SN 2021foa: the bridge between SN IIn and Ibn

   https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staf187  

   Gangopadhyay, Anjasha; Dukiya, Naveen; Moriya, Takashi J; Tanaka, Masaomi; Maeda, Keiichi; Howell, D Andrew; Singh, Mridweeka; Singh, Avinash; Sollerman, Jesper; Kawabata, Koji S; et al (February 2025, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society)

   ABSTRACT We present the long-term photometric and spectroscopic analysis of a transitioning SN IIn/Ibn from –10.8 d to 150.7 d post V-band maximum. SN 2021foa shows prominent He i lines comparable in strength to the H $$\alpha$$ line around peak, placing SN 2021foa between the SN IIn and SN Ibn populations. The spectral comparison shows that it resembles the SN IIn population at pre-maximum, becomes intermediate between SNe IIn/Ibn, and at post-maximum matches with SN IIn 1996al. The photometric evolution shows a precursor at –50 d and a light curve shoulder around 17 d. The peak luminosity and colour evolution of SN 2021foa are consistent with most SNe IIn and Ibn in our comparison sample. SN 2021foa shows the unique case of an SN IIn where the narrow P-Cygni in H $$\alpha$$ becomes prominent at 7.2 d. The H $$\alpha$$ profile consists of a narrow (500–1200 km s$$^{-1}$$) component, intermediate width (3000–8000 km s$$^{-1}$$) and broad component in absorption. Temporal evolution of the H $$\alpha$$ profile favours a disc-like CSM geometry. Hydrodynamical modelling of the light curve well reproduces a two-component CSM structure with different densities ($$\rho \propto$$ r$$^{-2}$$–$$\rho \propto$$ r$$^{-5}$$), mass-loss rates (10$$^{-3}$$–10$$^{-1}$$ M$$_{\odot }$$ yr$$^{-1}$$) assuming a wind velocity of 1000 km s$$^{-1}$$ and having a CSM mass of 0.18 M$$_{\odot }$$. The overall evolution indicates that SN 2021foa most likely originated from an LBV star transitioning to a WR star with the mass-loss rate increasing in the period from 5 to 0.5 yr before the explosion or it could be due to a binary interaction. 

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2. Seven Years of SN 2014C: A Multiwavelength Synthesis of an Extraordinary Supernova

   https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ac5fa6  

   Thomas, Benjamin P.; Wheeler, J. Craig; Dwarkadas, Vikram V.; Stockdale, Christopher; Vinkó, Jozsef; Pooley, David; Xu, Yerong; Zeimann, Greg; MacQueen, Phillip (May 2022, The Astrophysical Journal)

   Abstract SN 2014C was originally classified as a Type Ib supernova, but at phase ϕ = 127 days, post-explosion strong H α emission was observed. SN 2014C has since been observed in radio, infrared, optical and X-ray bands. Here we present new optical spectroscopic and photometric data spanning ϕ = 947–2494 days post-explosion. We address the evolution of the broadened H α emission line, as well as broad [O iii ] emission and other lines. We also conduct a parallel analysis of all publicly available multiwavelength data. From our spectra, we find a nearly constant H α FWHM velocity width of ∼2000 km s −1 that is significantly lower than that of other broadened atomic transitions (∼3000–7000 km s −1 ) present in our spectra ([O i ] λ 6300; [O iii ] λ λ 4959, 5007; He i λ 7065; [Ca ii ] λ λ 7291, 7324). The late radio data demand a fast forward shock (∼10,000 km s −1 at ϕ = 1700 days) in rarified matter that contrasts with the modest velocity of the H α . We propose that the infrared flux originates from a toroidal-like structure of hydrogen surrounding the progenitor system, while later emission at other wavelengths (radio, X-ray) likely originates predominantly from the reverse shock in the ejecta and the forward shock in the quasi-spherical progenitor He-wind. We propose that the H α emission arises in the boundary layer between the ejecta and torus. We also consider the possible roles of a pulsar and a binary companion. 

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3. A long-lasting eruption heralds SN 2023ldh, a clone of SN 2009ip

   https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202554858  

   Pastorello, A; Reguitti, A; Tartaglia, L; Valerin, G; Cai, Y-Z; Charalampopoulos, P; De_Luise, F; Dong, Y; Elias-Rosa, N; Farah, J; et al (September 2025, Astronomy & Astrophysics)

   We discuss the results of the spectroscopic and photometric monitoring of the type IIn supernova (SN) 2023ldh. Survey archive data show that the SN progenitor experienced erratic variability in the years before exploding. Beginning May 2023, the source showed a general slow luminosity rise that lasted for over four months, with some superposed luminosity fluctuations. In analogy toSN 2009ip, we call this brightening ‘Event A’. During Event A,SN 2023ldhreached a maximum absolute magnitude ofM_r = −15.52 ± 0.24 mag. The light curves then decreased by about 1 mag in all filters for about two weeks reaching a relative minimum, which was followed by a steep brightening (Event B) to an absolute peak magnitude ofM_r = −18.53 ± 0.23 mag, replicating the evolution ofSN 2009ipand similar to that of type IIn SNe. The three spectra ofSN 2023ldhobtained during Event A show multi-component P Cygni profiles of H I and Fe II lines. During the rise to the Event B peak, the spectrum shows a blue continuum dominated by Balmer lines in emission with Lorentzian profiles, with a full width at half maximum velocity of about 650 km s⁻¹. Later, in the post-peak phase, the spectrum reddens, and broader wings appear in the Hαline profile. Metal lines with P Cygni profiles and velocities of about 2000 km s⁻¹are clearly visible. Beginning around three months past maximum and until very late phases, the Ca II lines become among the most prominent features, while Hαis dominated by an intermediate-width component with a boxy profile. AlthoughSN 2023ldhmimics the evolution of otherSN 2009ip-like transients, it is slightly more luminous and has a slower photometric evolution. The surprisingly homogeneous observational properties ofSN 2009ip-like events may indicate similar explosion scenarios and similar progenitor parameters. 

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4. SN 2023zcu: A Type IIP SN with Early Flash Features

   https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ae3c7e  

   Dubey, Monalisa; Misra, Kuntal; Csörnyei, Géza; Dastidar, Raya; Howell, D Andrew; Sand, David J; Valenti, Stefano; Zheng, WeiKang; Filippenko, Alexei V; Jha, Saurabh; et al (February 2026, The Astrophysical Journal)

   Abstract We present a detailed photometric and spectroscopic analysis of the Type IIP supernova (SN) SN 2023zcu, which exploded in the galaxy NGC 2139 (redshiftz= 0.006). SN 2023zcu exhibits a well-sampled light curve covering the rise, plateau, and nebular phases. It has an optically thick phase of 100.6  ±  0.6 days with a magnitude drop of ∼1.7 mag in theVband during the transition between the plateau and nebular phases. Weak emission features in the early-time spectra indicate a low-level interaction between circumstellar material and the SN ejecta. The spectral evolution is well sampled and exhibits a prominent P Cygni profile of Hα, a defining characteristic of Type IIP SNe. Signatures of metal-line formation (e.g., Feii, Caiinear-infrared triplet) are also evident in the spectra as the SN evolves. Spectral modeling with the radiative transfer codeTARDISduring the early photospheric phase (8.7–35.5 days since explosion) yields photospheric temperatures decreasing from ∼9000 to ∼6000 K and expansion velocities declining from ∼10,000 to ∼5400 km s⁻¹. A tailored expanding photosphere method fit based on theTARDISmodels provides a distance estimate of 27.8  ±  2.0 Mpc. Nebular-phase spectra and bolometric light-curve modeling suggest a progenitor mass in the range 12–15M_⊙. This thorough analysis helps to constrain progenitor properties and explosion parameters, thereby strengthening our understanding of Type IIP SNe. 

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5. Near-infrared spectroscopy and detection of carbon monoxide in the Type II supernova SN 2023ixf

   https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202555244  

   Park, Seong Hyun; Rho, Jeonghee; Yoon, Sung-Chul; Pearson, Jeniveve; Shrestha, Manisha; Tinyanont, Samaporn; Geballe, T R; Foley, Ryan J; Ravi, Aravind P; Andrews, Jennifer; et al (November 2025, Astronomy & Astrophysics)

   Context.Core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) may have contributed a significant amount of dust in the early Universe. Freshly formed coolant molecules (e.g., CO) and warm dust can be found in CCSNe as early as ∼100 d after the SN explosion, allowing the study of their evolution with time series observations. Aims.Through study of the Type II SN 2023ixf, we aim to investigate the temporal evolution of the temperature, velocity, and mass of CO and compare them with other CCSNe, exploring their implications for the dust formation in CCSNe. From observations of velocity profiles of lines of other species (e.g., H and He), we also aim to characterize and understand the interaction of the SN ejecta with preexisting circumstellar material (CSM). Methods.We present a time series of 16 near-infrared spectra of SN 2023ixf from 9 to 307 d, taken with multiple instruments: Gemini/GNIRS, Keck/NIRES, IRTF/SpeX, and MMT/MMIRS. Results.The early (t ≲ 70 d) spectra indicate interaction between the expanding ejecta and nearby CSM. Att ≲ 20 d, intermediate-width line profiles corresponding to the ejecta-wind interaction are superposed on evolving broad P Cygni profiles. We find intermediate-width and narrow lines in the spectra untilt ≲ 70 d, which suggest continued CSM interaction. We also observe and discuss high-velocity absorption features in Hαand Hβline profiles formed by CSM interaction. The spectra contain CO first overtone emission between 199 and 307 d after the explosion. We modeled the CO emission and found the CO to have a higher velocity (3000–3500 km s⁻¹) than that in Type II-pec SN 1987A (1800–2000 km s⁻¹) during similar phases (t = 199 − 307 d) and a comparable CO temperature to SN 1987A. A flattened continuum at wavelengths greater than 1.5 μm accompanies the CO emission, suggesting that the warm dust is likely formed in the ejecta. The warm dust masses are estimated to be on the order of ∼10⁻⁵ M_⊙. 

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