Imaging observations of iPTF 13ajg

At a redshift of z=0.7403, derived from narrow absorption lines, iPTF 13ajg peaked at an absolute magnitude of M_u,AB_=-22.5, one of the most luminous supernovae to date. The observed bolometric peak luminosity of iPTF 13ajg is 3.2x10^44^ erg/s, while the estimated total radiated energy is 1.3x10^51^ erg.

We detect narrow absorption lines of Mg I, Mg II, and Fe II, associated with the cold interstellar medium in the host galaxy, at two different epochs with X-shooter at the Very Large Telescope. From Voigt profile fitting, we derive the column densities log N(Mg I)=11.94+/-0.06, log N(Mg II)=14.7+/-0.3, and log N(Fe II)=14.25+/-0.10. These column densities, as well as the Mg I and Mg II equivalent widths of a sample of hydrogen-poor SLSNe taken from the literature, are at the low end of those derived for gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) whose progenitors are also thought to be massive stars.