Nested, asymmetric H-He circumstellar shells in the Type Icn/Ibn SN 2024abvb

TL;DR

This study investigates the complex circumstellar environment of SN 2024abvb, revealing multiple asymmetric shells through high-resolution spectroscopy and polarimetry, shedding light on pre-supernova mass loss processes.

Contribution

It provides detailed spectro-polarimetric analysis of SN 2024abvb, identifying multiple concentric, asymmetric shells with varying compositions and velocities, a novel insight into supernova circumstellar structures.

Findings

Multiple narrow CSM components of He, C, O with velocities 150-400 km/s.

Detection of distant H-rich material via Balmer absorption.

Polarimetric evolution indicates concentric, asymmetric shells with dust content.

Abstract

Interacting transients probe mass loss in the final stages of stellar evolution; however, the geometry and timing of multi-episode mass loss remain poorly constrained. SN 2024abvb is a nearby interacting event with transitional Ibn/Icn spectroscopic properties and multi-epoch polarimetry, offering a rare opportunity to study structured circumstellar material (CSM). We aim to characterise the kinematics, composition and geometry of the CSM around SN 2024abvb and to identify plausible progenitor/ejection scenarios that can produce the observed spectro-polarimetric evolution. We present high-resolution (VLT/UVES and VLT/X-Shooter) optical/NIR spectroscopy across several epochs, complemented by broadband polarimetry and spectropolarimetry (VLT/FORS2 and NOT/ALFOSC). Line identifications, velocity decompositions and polarimetric time-series are used to trace multiple kinematic components and changes in scattering geometry. The high-resolution spectra reveal multiple narrow CSM components composed of He, C and O with absorption minima at $\sim150 - 400$ km s$^{-1}$ and additional faster material up to $\sim2000$ \kms. Low-velocity Balmer absorptions are present, indicating distant H-rich material, a first in SNe Ibn/Icn. Polarimetry shows a marked evolution ($P\sim1\%$ near peak, $\lesssim0.5\%$ after $\sim1$ week, rising to $\sim1.5\%$ at $\sim20$ d with $\sim50^\circ$ position-angle rotation and to $\sim4\%$ at $\sim30$ d, stronger in the blue), implying a time-variable, wavelength-dependent scattering/obscuration component. The combination of kinematics and polarimetric behaviour is consistent with multiple, concentric toroidal shells with differing orientations and partial dust content.