SN 2005cs in M51 II. Complete Evolution in the Optical and the Near-Infrared

Understand

We present the results of the one year long observational campaign of the type II-plateau SN 2005cs, which exploded in the nearby spiral galaxy M51 (the Whirlpool Galaxy).

• This extensive dataset makes SN 2005cs the best observed low-luminosity, 56Ni-poor type II-plateau event so far and one of the best core-collapse supernovae ever.
• The optical and near-infrared spectra show narrow P-Cygni lines characteristic of this SN family, which are indicative of a very low expansion velocity (about 1000 km/s) of the ejected material.
• The optical light curves cover both the plateau phase and the late-time radioactive tail, until about 380 days after core-collapse.