ASASSN-14dq: a fast-declining Type II-P supernova in a low-luminosity host galaxy

Optical broadband (UBVRI) photometric and low-resolution spectroscopic observations of the Type II-P supernova (SN) ASASSN-14dq are presented. ASASSN-14dq exploded in a lowluminosity/metallicity host galaxy UGC 11860, the signatures of which are present as weak iron lines in the photospheric phase spectra. The SN has a plateau duration of similar to 90 d, with a plateau decline rate of 1.38 mag (100 d)(-1) in the V-band, which is higher than most Type II-P SNe. ASASSN-14dq is a luminous Type II-P SN with a peak V-band absolute magnitude of -17.7 +/- 0.2 mag. The light curve of ASASSN-14dq indicates it to be a fast-declining Type II-P SN, making it a transitional event between Type II-P and II-L SNe. The empirical relation linking the steepness parameter and Ni-56 mass for Type II SNe was rebuilt with the help of well-sampled light curves from the literature. The estimated Ni-56 mass of similar to 0.029 M-circle dot for ASASSN-14dq is slightly lower for a luminous Type II-P SN. Using analytical light curve modelling, a progenitor radius of similar to 3.6 x 10(13) cm, an ejecta mass of similar to 10 M-circle dot, and total energy of similar to 1.8 x 10(51) erg were estimated for this event. The photospheric velocity evolution of ASASSN-14dq resembles that of a Type II-P SN, but the Balmer features (H alpha and H beta) show relatively slow velocity evolution. The high-velocity H alpha feature in the plateau phase, the asymmetric H alpha emission line profile in the nebular phase, and the inferred outburst parameters indicate an interaction of the SN ejecta with the circumstellar material.