Progenitor mass of the type IIP supernova 2005cs

Context. The progenitor mass of type IIP supernova can be determined from either hydrodynamic modeling of the event or preexplosion observations. Aims. To compare these approaches, we determine parameters of the sub-luminous supernova 2005cs and estimate its progenitor mass. Methods. We compute the hydrodynamic models of the supernova to describe its light curves and expansion velocity data. Results. We estimate a presupernova mass of 17.3 +/- 1 M-circle dot, an explosion energy of (4.1 +/- 0.3) x 10(50) erg, a presupernova radius of 600 +/- 140 R-circle dot, and a radioactive Ni-56 mass of 0.0082 +/- 0.0016 M-circle dot. The derived progenitor mass of SN 2005cs is 18.2 +/- 1 M-circle dot, which is in-between those of low-luminosity and normal type IIP supernovae. Conclusions. The obtained progenitor mass of SN 2005cs is higher than derived from pre-explosion images. The masses of four type IIP supernovae estimated by means of hydrodynamic modeling are systematically higher than the average progenitor mass for the 9-25 M-circle dot mass range. This result, if confirmed for a larger sample, would imply that a serious revision of the present-day view on the progenitors of type IIP supernovae is required.