Program: GS-2021A-FT-217

We propose to obtain two late-time ‘nebular’ spectra and two epochs of near-IR (NIR) photometry of the very nearby and low-luminosity type II supernova (SN) 2020ocz, located at 10.4 Mpc. This object exhibit the strongest 1st and potential 2nd CO emission observed in a SN to date, implying that a significant mass of CO has formed in the ejecta. The NIR Gemini spectra will allow us to continue the monitoring of the CO emission in this SN. The CO molecule is a powerful coolant able to create the conditions for dust formation. We expect to detect signatures of dust formation in the Gemini data, such as attenuation in the the optical line profiles and NIR thermal emission from newly formed dust. SN 2020ocz also displays strongly asymmetric emission profiles in the optical and in the NIR. These profiles exhibit three clear, and distinct components. We will study the geometry of the emitting regions and their physical properties using the Gemini spectra. Wether core-collapse supernovae a significant source of dust in the early Universe is a long-standing question. This is our only opportunity to obtain time-series nebular spectra for this unique low-luminosity type II SN event, to study CO and dust formation in a low-luminosity SN something imposible to investigate in similar objects located at a larger distance.