SALT spectroscopic classification of ASASSN-18yc (= SN 2018hkx) as a type-Ia supernova before maximum light
ATel #12122; S. W. Jha, Y. Camacho-Neves, M. Dai, K. Dettman, Y. Eweis (Rutgers), E. Depagne (SALT/SAAO)
on 18 Oct 2018; 06:46 UT
Distributed as an Instant Email Notice Supernovae
Credential Certification: Saurabh Jha (saurabh@physics.rutgers.edu)
Subjects: Optical, Supernovae
We obtained SALT (+RSS) spectroscopy of ASASSN-18yc (= SN 2018hkx; ATel #12119) on 2018 October 18.0 UT, covering the wavelength range 350-940 nm. Cross-correlation of the supernova spectrum with a template library using SNID (Blondin & Tonry 2007, ApJ, 666, 1024) shows a good match to the type-Ia SN 1999ee at -7 days relative to maximum light. We also placed the longslit through the nucleus of the host galaxy 2MASX J04005460-6640336 and derive a heliocentric redshift of 7515 +/- 30 km/s using cross-correlation with galaxy templates. The expansion velocity of the supernova (measured to the trough of the Si II rest 635.5 nm line) is approximately 11,600 km/s, though the line profile is somewhat asymmetric. Given the location of ASASSN-18yc in the TESS Camera 4 continuous viewing zone, further follow-up observations of this supernova are encouraged.
Our spectrum is posted on the Transient Name Server SN 2018hkx page.
