Long-term evolution of the SN 2009ip-like transient SN 2016cvk

Matilainen, K. K., Kankare, E., Mattila, S., Reguitti, A., Pignata, G., Brimacombe, J., Pastorello, A., Fraser, M., Brennan, S. J., Anderson, J. P., Ayala-Inostroza, B., Cartier, R., Charalampopoulos, P., Chen, T.-W., Gromadzki, M., Gutiérrez, C. P., Inserra, C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3968-4409, Müller-Bravo, T. E., Nicholl, M., Prieto, J. L., Ragosta, F., Reynolds, T. M., Salmaso, I. and Young, D. R. 2025. Long-term evolution of the SN 2009ip-like transient SN 2016cvk. Astronomy & Astrophysics 703 , A62. 10.1051/0004-6361/202555740

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Abstract

Aims. The interacting transient SN 2016cvk (ASASSN-16jt) is a peculiar SN 2009ip-like event. We present our follow-up data with an aim to draw conclusions on the physical nature of the progenitor system. Methods. Our spectrophotometric data set of SN 2016cvk covers the ultraviolet, optical, and near-infrared wavelength region extending to +1681 d from the light curve peak. In this work, we analysed the data and made comparison with other SN 2009ip-like transients. We note that archival data reveal pre-outbursts of the progenitor with the first detection at –1219 d. Results. The light-curve evolution of SN 2016cvk consists of two consecutive luminous events A and B, with peak magnitudes of M V < −15.6 and M r = −18.3 mag, respectively. The spectra are dominated by Balmer emission lines that have a complex, multi-component evolution resembling that of other SN 2009ip-like targets. SN 2016cvk is among the first detected SN 2009ip-like events that show early ‘flash ionisation’ features of C III , N III , and He II , lasting for 16 ± 5 d. Our late-time +405 d spectrum shows forbidden [Ca II ], [Fe II ], and [O I ] features, with the latter detected particularly clearly for a SN 2009ip-like event. Conclusions. The evolution of SN 2016cvk is similar to other SN 2009ip-like transients, with some uncommon traits. The lack of a double-peaked structure in the Balmer lines is likely caused by differences in the circumstellar medium structure or viewing angle. The flash features in the early spectra propose abundances consistent with a red, yellow, or blue supergiant progenitor, rather than a luminous blue variable, for example. The detection of [O I ] in the +405 d spectrum suggests some possible evidence of nucleosynthesised material generated in a SN explosion.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Physics and Astronomy
Additional Information:	License information from Publisher: LICENSE 1: URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, Start Date: 2025-11-06
Publisher:	EDP Sciences
ISSN:	0004-6361
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	20 November 2025
Date of Acceptance:	29 August 2025
Last Modified:	20 Nov 2025 14:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/182542

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