Early Near-IR Echo and the Time-variable Mass-loss History of Type IIn SN 2024kgi

We present a comprehensive analysis of the long-term photometric and spectroscopic monitoring campaign of the Type IIn supernova (SN) 2024kgi. The SN reaches a peak r -band absolute magnitude of −19.81 ± 0.06 mag and a bolometric luminosity of ∼2 × 10 43 erg s −1 . We observe a break in the lightcurve at day ∼312, after which the luminosity decline changes from t −1.0 to t −4.5 , likely due to the shock sweeping the dense circumstellar matter (CSM). We introduce a semi-analytical lightcurve modeling approach for CSM interaction in transients that accounts for variable diffusion time. We hence estimate a CSM mass of 2.3 4 − 1.6 + 11.8 M ⊙ , with a density profile of ρ csm ∝ r −2.74 , indicating progressively increasing mass loss toward the SN explosion. The ejecta signatures emerge as broad H, He, and Ca ii triplet lines at day ∼80, much earlier than expected from a spherically symmetric CSM, suggesting asymmetry in the CSM. After the lightcurve break, the H lines exhibit a wavelength-dependent deficit in the red-wing flux, indicating new dust formation in the ejecta and/or in the postshock gas. We observe a near-IR (NIR) excess from day ∼40 onward. We attribute the early NIR excess before the lightcurve break solely to the NIR echo from preexisting dust, as there are no other indications for new dust formation. The late-time NIR excess likely has contributions from both the preexisting and newly formed dust. The steady increase in mass loss, slow CSM velocity, and asymmetric CSM favor a binary interaction-induced mass loss.