AstroNote 2026-9

We obtained two epochs of r and i band photometry for the transient 2025iek, which was classified as a SN IIn by Taggart et al. 2025 (2025TNSCR3348....1T). 

The photometry reported here was obtained and reduced through BHTOM (http://bhtom.space/public/targets/SN2025iek) with observations from the LCO telescope network. These data, together with the full photometric history of 2025iek (including observations from Pan-STARRS, ZTF, GALEX, and NEOWISE) are available through the BHTOM portal.

At the reported redshift, 2025iek could be classified as an SLSN-IIn. However, the long duration of the light curve (>~235 rest-frame days from the discovery reported by Sollerman et al. 2025, 2025TNSTR1507....1S, to our first observed epoch, and >~ 15 years since the first Pan-STARRS detection), together with the position of the transient at the center of a small galaxy (as seen in Legacy Survey DR10 images,  legacysurvey.org/viewer), suggests that this event is more likely associated with an AGN flare. We therefore encourage the community to obtain a second spectrum to confirm the previously reported classification.