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Abstract We present optical photometry and spectroscopy of SN 2019hnl. Discovered within ∼26 hr of explosion by the ATLAS survey, SN 2019hnl is a typical Type IIP supernova (SN) with a peak absoluteV-band magnitude of −16.7 ± 0.1 mag, a plateau length of ∼107 days, and an early decline rate of 0.0086 ± 0.0006 mag (50 days)⁻¹. We use nebular spectroscopy and hydrodynamic modeling with thesnec,mesa, andstellacodes to infer that the progenitor of SN 2019hnl was anM_ZAMS ∼ 11M_⊙red supergiant, which produced 0.047 ± 0.007M_⊙of⁵⁶Ni in the explosion. As a part of our hydrodynamic modeling, we reduced hydrogen envelope mass by scaling the mass loss within the “Dutch” wind scheme to fit our light curve, showing that the progenitor of a relatively typical Type IIP SN may experience partial stripping during their evolution and establish massive (∼0.2M_⊙) circumstellar material environments prior to core collapse. 

Abstract We present supernova (SN) 2023ufx, a unique Type IIP SN with the shortest known plateau duration (t_PT∼ 47 days), a luminousV-band peak (M_V= −​​​​​​18.42 ± 0.08 mag), and a rapid early decline rate (s1 = 3.47 ± 0.09 mag (50 days)⁻¹). By comparing observed photometry to a hydrodynamic MESA+STELLA model grid, we constrain the progenitor to be a massive red supergiant withM_ZAMS∼ 19–25M_⊙. Independent comparisons with nebular spectral models also suggest an initial He-core mass of ∼6M_⊙, and thus a massive progenitor. For a Type IIP, SN 2023ufx produced an unusually high amount of nickel (⁵⁶Ni) ∼0.14 ± 0.02M_⊙, during the explosion. We find that the short plateau duration in SN 2023ufx can be explained with the presence of a small hydrogen envelope ( $M_{{\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{env}}}$∼ 1.2M_⊙), suggesting partial stripping of the progenitor. About ∼0.09M_⊙of circumstellar material through mass loss from late-time stellar evolution of the progenitor is needed to fit the early time (≲10 days) pseudo-bolometric light curve. Nebular line diagnostics of broad and multipeak components of [Oi]λλ6300, 6364, Hα, and [Caii]λλ7291, 7323 suggest that the explosion of SN 2023ufx could be inherently asymmetric, preferentially ejecting material along our line of sight. 

Abstract Kilonovae, the ultraviolet/optical/infrared counterparts to binary neutron star mergers, are an exceptionally rare class of transients. Optical follow-up campaigns are plagued by contaminating transients, which may mimic kilonovae but do not receive sufficient observations to measure the full photometric evolution. In this work, we present an analysis of the multiwavelength dataset of supernova (SN) 2025ulz, a proposed kilonova candidate following the low-significance detection of gravitational waves originating from the potential binary neutron star merger S250818k. Despite an early rapid decline in brightness, our multiwavelength observations of SN 2025ulz reveal that it is a type IIb SN. As part of this analysis, we demonstrate the capabilities of a novel quantitative scoring algorithm to determine the likelihood that a transient candidate is a kilonova, based primarily on its three-dimensional location and light-curve evolution. We also apply our scoring algorithm to other transient candidates in the localization volume of S250818k and find that, at all times after the discovery of SN 2025ulz, there are ≥4 candidates with a score comparable to SN 2025ulz, indicating that the kilonova search may have benefited from the additional follow-up of other candidates. During future kilonova searches, this type of scoring algorithm will be useful to rule out contaminating transients in real time, optimizing the use of valuable telescope resources. 

Abstract SN 2023ixf was discovered in M101 within a day of the explosion and rapidly classified as a Type II supernova with flash features. Here we present ultraviolet (UV) spectra obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope 14, 19, 24, and 66 days after the explosion. Interaction between the supernova ejecta and circumstellar material (CSM) is seen in the UV throughout our observations in the flux of the first three epochs and asymmetric Mgiiemission on day 66. We compare our observations to CMFGEN supernova models that include CSM interaction ( $\dot{M}<{10}^{-3}$M_⊙yr⁻¹) and find that the power from CSM interaction is decreasing with time, fromL_sh≈ 5 × 10⁴²erg s⁻¹toL_sh≈ 1 × 10⁴⁰erg s⁻¹between days 14 and 66. We examine the contribution of individual atomic species to the spectra on days 14 and 19, showing that the majority of the features are dominated by iron, nickel, magnesium, and chromium absorption in the ejecta. The UV spectral energy distribution of SN 2023ixf sits between that of supernovae, which show no definitive signs of CSM interaction, and those with persistent signatures assuming the same progenitor radius and metallicity. Finally, we show that the evolution and asymmetric shape of the Mgiiλλ2796, 2802 emission are not unique to SN 2023ixf. These observations add to the early measurements of dense, confined CSM interaction, tracing the mass-loss history of SN 2023ixf to ∼33 yr prior to the explosion and the density profile to a radius of ∼5.7 × 10¹⁵cm. They show the relatively short evolution from a quiescent red supergiant wind to high mass loss. 

Abstract We present photometric and spectroscopic observations of SN 2023fyq, a Type Ibn supernova (SN) in the nearby galaxy NGC 4388 (D≃ 18 Mpc). In addition, we trace the 3 yr long precursor emission at the position of SN 2023fyq using data from DLT40, ATLAS, Zwicky Transient Facility, ASAS-SN, Swift, and amateur astronomer Koichi Itagaki. The double-peaked postexplosion light curve reaches a luminosity of ∼10⁴³erg s⁻¹. The strong intermediate-width He lines observed in the nebular spectrum imply the interaction is still active at late phases. We found that the precursor activity in SN 2023fyq is best explained by the mass transfer in a binary system involving a low-mass He star and a compact companion. An equatorial disk is likely formed in this process (∼0.6M_⊙), and the interaction of SN ejecta with this disk powers the second peak of the SN. The early SN light curve reveals the presence of dense extended material (∼0.3M_⊙) at ∼3000R_⊙ejected weeks before the SN explosion, likely due to final-stage core silicon burning or runaway mass transfer resulting from binary orbital shrinking, leading to rapid-rising precursor emission within ∼30 days prior to explosion. The final explosion could be triggered either by the core collapse of the He star or by the merger of the He star with a compact object. SN 2023fyq, along with SN 2018gjx and SN 2015G, forms a unique class of Type Ibn SNe, which originate in binary systems and are likely to exhibit detectable long-lasting pre-explosion outbursts with magnitudes ranging from −10 to −13. 

Abstract We perform a comprehensive search for optical precursor emission at the position of SN 2023ixf using data from the DLT40, ZTF, and ATLAS surveys. By comparing the current data set with precursor outburst hydrodynamical model light curves, we find that the probability of a significant outburst within 5 yr of explosion is low, and the circumstellar material (CSM) ejected during any possible precursor outburst is likely smaller than ∼0.015M_⊙. By comparing to a set of toy models, we find that, if there was a precursor outburst, the duration must have been shorter than ∼100 days for a typical brightness ofM_r≃ −9 mag or shorter than 200 days forM_r≃ −8 mag; brighter, longer outbursts would have been discovered. Precursor activity like that observed in the normal Type II SN 2020tlf (M_r≃ −11.5) can be excluded in SN 2023ixf. If the dense CSM inferred by early flash spectroscopy and other studies is related to one or more precursor outbursts, then our observations indicate that any such outburst would have to be faint and only last for days to months, or it occurred more than 5 yr prior to the explosion. Alternatively, any dense, confined CSM may not be due to eruptive mass loss from a single red supergiant progenitor. Taken together, the results of SN 2023ixf and SN 2020tlf indicate that there may be more than one physical mechanism behind the dense CSM inferred around some normal Type II supernovae. 

Abstract We present optical and near-infrared (NIR) observations of SN 2022crv, a stripped-envelope supernova in NGC 3054, discovered within 12 hr of explosion by the Distance Less Than 40 Mpc Survey. We suggest that SN 2022crv is a transitional object on the continuum between Type Ib supernovae (SNe Ib) and Type IIb supernovae (SNe IIb). A high-velocity hydrogen feature (∼ −20,000 to −16,000 km s⁻¹) was conspicuous in SN 2022crv at early phases, and then quickly disappeared. We find that a hydrogen envelope of ∼10⁻³M_⊙can reproduce the observed behavior of the hydrogen feature. The lack of early envelope cooling emission implies that SN 2022crv had a compact progenitor with an extremely low amount of hydrogen. A nebular spectral analysis shows that SN 2022crv is consistent with the explosion of a He star with a final mass of ∼4.5–5.6M_⊙that evolved from a ∼16 to 22M_⊙zero-age main-sequence star in a binary system with ∼1.0–1.7M_⊙of oxygen finally synthesized in the core. In order to retain such a small amount of hydrogen, the initial orbital separation of the binary system is likely larger than ∼1000R_⊙. The NIR spectra of SN 2022crv show a unique absorption feature on the blue side of the Heiline at ∼1.005μm. This is the first time such a feature has been observed in SNe Ib/IIb, and it could be due to Sr II. Further detailed modeling of SN 2022crv can shed light on the progenitor and the origin of the mysterious absorption feature in the NIR. 

Abstract We present high-cadence photometric and spectroscopic observations of SN 2023axu, a classical Type II supernova with an absoluteV-band peak magnitude of –17.2 ± 0.1 mag. SN 2023axu was discovered by the Distance Less Than 40 Mpc (DLT40) survey within 1 day of the last nondetection in the nearby galaxy NGC 2283 at 13.7 Mpc. We modeled the early light curve using a recently updated shock cooling model that includes the effects of line blanketing and found the explosion epoch to be MJD 59971.48 ± 0.03 and the probable progenitor to be a red supergiant. The shock cooling model underpredicts the overall UV data, which point to a possible interaction with circumstellar material. This interpretation is further supported by spectral behavior. We see a ledge feature around 4600 Å in the very early spectra (+1.1 and +1.5 days after the explosion), which can be a sign of circumstellar interaction. The signs of circumstellar material are further bolstered by the presence of absorption features blueward of Hαand Hβat day >40, which is also generally attributed to circumstellar interaction. Our analysis shows the need for high-cadence early photometric and spectroscopic data to decipher the mass-loss history of the progenitor.