AT 2019abn: multi-wavelength observations

We aim to conduct a detailed photometric and spectroscopic follow-up campaign for AT 2019abn, with early discovery allowing for significant pre-maximum observations of an intermediate luminosity red transient (ILRT) for the first time. This work is based on the analysis of u'BVr'i'z'H photometry and low-resolution spectroscopy using the Liverpool Telescope, medium-resolution spectroscopy with the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), and near-infrared imaging with the GTC and the Nordic Optical Telescope.

We present the most detailed optical light curve of an ILRT to date, with multi-band photometry starting around three weeks before peak brightness. The transient peaked at an observed absolute magnitude of M_r_=-13.1, although it is subject to significant reddening from dust in M51, implying an intrinsic M_r_~-15.2. The initial light curve showed a linear, achromatic rise in magnitude before becoming bluer at peak.