Supernova 2013fc in a circumnuclear ring of a luminous infrared galaxy: The big brother of SN 1998S

T. Kangas*, S. Mattila, E. Kankare, P. Lundqvist, P. Väisänen, M. Childress, G. Pignata, C. McCully, S. Valenti, J. Vinkó, A. Pastorello, N. Elias-Rosa, M. Fraser, A. Gal-Yam, R. Kotak, J. K. Kotilainen, S. J. Smartt, L. Galbany, J. Harmanen, D. A. HowellC. Inserra, G. H. Marion, R. M. Quimby, J. M. Silverman, T. Szalai, J. C. Wheeler, C. Ashall, S. Benetti, C. Romero-Cañizales, K. W. Smith, M. Sullivan, K. Takáts, D. R. Young

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We present photometric and spectroscopic observations of SN 2013fc, a bright type II supernova (SN) in a circumnuclear star-forming ring in the luminous infrared galaxy ESO 154-G010, observed as part of the Public ESO Spectroscopic Survey of Transient Objects. SN 2013fc is both photometrically and spectroscopically similar to the well-studied type IIn SN 1998S and to the bright type II-L SN 1979C. It exhibits an initial linear decline, followed by a short plateau phase and a tail phase with a decline too fast for 56Co decay with full γ -ray trapping. Initially, the spectrum was blue and featureless. Later on, a strong broad (~8000 km s-1) H α emission profile became prominent. We apply a STARLIGHT stellar population model fit to the SN location (observed when the SN had faded) to estimate a high extinction of AV = 2.9 ± 0.2 mag and an age of 10+3 -2 Myr for the underlying cluster.We compare the SN to SNe 1998S and 1979C and discuss its possible progenitor star considering the similarities to these events. With a peak brightness of B = -20.46 ± 0.21 mag, SN 2013fc is 0.9 mag brighter than SN 1998S and of comparable brightness to SN 1979C.We suggest that SN 2013fc was consistent with a massive red supergiant (RSG) progenitor. Recent mass loss probably due to a strong RSG wind created the circumstellar matter illuminated through its interaction with the SN ejecta. We also observe a near-infrared excess, possibly due to newly condensed dust.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)323-346
Number of pages24
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume456
Issue number1
Early online date14 Dec 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Feb 2016

Keywords

  • Galaxies: starburst
  • Supernovae: general
  • Supernovae: individual: 2013fc

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Space and Planetary Science
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics

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