LSQ13fn: A type II-Plateau supernova with a possibly low metallicity progenitor that breaks the standardised candle relation

TL;DR

LSQ13fn is a peculiar type II-Plateau supernova with low metallicity progenitor, exhibiting unusual spectral evolution and breaking standard candle relations, highlighting the diversity of massive star explosions.

Contribution

This paper reports the discovery and detailed analysis of LSQ13fn, a supernova with unique spectral and photometric properties that challenge existing models and standardization methods for type II supernovae.

Findings

Metal lines appeared later and were weak

Line velocities were lower than expected for brightness

Progenitor metallicity estimated at 0.1 Z_sun

Abstract

We present optical imaging and spectroscopy of supernova (SN) LSQ13fn, a type II supernova with several hitherto-unseen properties. Although it initially showed strong symmetric spectral emission features attributable to \ion{He}{ii}, \ion{N}{iii}, and \ion{C}{iii}, reminiscent of some interacting SNe, it transitioned into an object that would fall more naturally under a type II-Plateau (IIP) classification. However, its spectral evolution revealed several unusual properties: metal lines appeared later than expected, were weak, and some species were conspicuous by their absence. Furthermore, the line velocities were found to be lower than expected given the plateau brightness, breaking the SNe~IIP standardised candle method for distance estimates. We found that, in combination with a short phase of early-time ejecta-circumstellar material interaction, metal-poor ejecta, and a large progenitor radius could reasonably account for the observed behaviour. Comparisons with synthetic model spectra of SNe~IIP of a given progenitor mass would imply a progenitor star metallicity as low as 0.1\,Z$_{\odot}$. LSQ13fn highlights the diversity of SNe~II and the many competing physical effects that come into play towards the final stages of massive star evolution immediately preceding core-collapse.