Spectroscopic Classification of PSN J15583110+1251596 as a Type Ia Supernova
ATel #6205; Xiaofeng Wang (Tsinghua University); Jujia Zhang (Yunnan Observatories);Tianmeng Zhang (NAOC)
on 6 Jun 2014; 13:59 UT
Distributed as an Instant Email Notice Supernovae
Credential Certification: Xiaofeng Wang (wang_xf@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn)
Subjects: Optical, Supernovae, Transient
An optical spectrogram (range 340-870 nm),obtained on 2014 Jun 04.81 UT with the 2.4-m telescope (+YFOSC) at LiJiang Gaomeigu Station of YNAO, shows that PSN J15583110+1251596 is a type Ia supernova a few days before the maximum light. Cross-correlation with a library of supernova spectra using the "Supernova Identification" code (SNID; Blondin and Tonry 2007, Ap.J. 666, 1024) shows that it matches with SN 2003kf at t = -7 days. Adopting a redshift of 0.044 for the host galaxy from the SNID fit, they measure a velocity of the Si II 635.5-nm absorption feature to be about 12400 km/s. The weak absorption feature at 629.0 nm is likely due to the C II 6580 line. This supernova may have an unusually high luminosity if the SNID redshift is correct, with the unfiltered absolute magnitude to be about -19.7 mag on Jun. 02.
