Comparison of the H07 template and the best fitting models, assuming different epochs of first detection (t_first) relative to B-band maximum. Points included in the χ² analysis are shown as solid circles. Unfilled circles show the remainder of the light curve for reference. Panel a: best matching model parameters are given when fitting the full light curve of the H07 template. In this case, first detection occurs only hours after our estimated date of explosion. Panel b: best matching model parameters for a first detection approximately 3 days after explosion. Panel c: best matching model parameters for a first detection approximately 5 days after explosion. Panels d and e: ⁵⁶Ni distributions for the best fitting models in mass- and velocity-space, assuming different first detection dates for the template light curve.