AT 2018hso light curves and spectra

We also inspected the archival Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images obtained about 15 years ago to constrain the progenitor properties. The light curves of AT 2018hso show a first sharp peak (reddening-corrected M_r_=13.93mag), followed by a broader and shallower second peak that resembles a plateau in the optical bands. The spectra dramatically change with time.

Early-time spectra show prominent Balmer emission lines and a weak [CaII] doublet, which is usually observed in ILRTs. However, the strong decrease in the continuum temperature, the appearance of narrow metal absorption lines, the great change in the H{alpha} strength and profile, and the emergence of molecular bands support an LRN classification. The possible detection of a M_I_~8mag source at the position of AT 2018hso in HST archive images is consistent with expectations for a pre-merger massive binary, similar to the precursor of the 2015 LRN in M101.

We provide reasonable arguments to support an LRN classification for AT 2018hso. This study reveals growing heterogeneity in the observables of LRNe than has been thought previously, which is a challenge for distinguishing between LRNe and ILRTs. This suggests that the entire evolution of gap transients needs to be monitored to avoid misclassifications.