High mass of the type IIP supernova 2004et inferred from hydrodynamic modeling

Context. Previous studies of type IIP supernovae have inferred that progenitor masses recovered from hydrodynamic models are higher than 15 M_. Aims. To verify the progenitor mass of this supernova category, we attempt a parameter determination of the well-observed luminous type IIP supernova 2004et. Methods. We model the bolometric light curve and the photospheric velocities of SN 2004et by means of hydrodynamic simulations in an extended parameter space. Results. From hydrodynamic simulations and observational data, we infer a presupernova radius of 1500 ± 140 R_, an ejecta mass of 24.5 ± 1 M_, an explosion energy of (2.3±0.3) × 1051 erg, and a radioactive 56Ni mass of 0.068 ± 0.009 M_. The estimated progenitor mass on the main sequence is in the range of 25-29 M_. In addition, we find clear signatures of the explosion asymmetry in the nebular spectra of SN 2004et. Conclusions. The measured progenitor mass of SN 2004et is significantly higher than the progenitor mass suggested by the pre-explosion images. We speculate that the mass inferred from hydrodynamic modeling is overestimated and crucial missing factors are multi-dimensional effects.