SALT Spectroscopy of ASASSN-14db: a type I supernova
ATel #6271; Saurabh W. Jha, Viraj Pandya, Curtis McCully (Rutgers), and Encarni Romero Colmenero (SALT/SAAO)
on 25 Jun 2014; 19:32 UT
Credential Certification: Saurabh Jha (saurabh@physics.rutgers.edu)
Subjects: Optical, Supernovae
We obtained SALT (+RSS) spectroscopy of ASASSN-14db in ESO 075-G049
(Stanek et al. 2014, ATel #6260) on 2014 June 25.1 UT, covering the
range 450-900 nm, in cloudy conditions. Cross-correlation of the
spectrum with a template library using SNID (Blondin & Tonry 2007,
ApJ, 666, 1024) yields a good match to the type-Ia SN 2008C at about 8
days past maximum light. Numerous narrow host-galaxy emission lines
confirm the redshift z = 0.0375 (Jones et al. 2009, MNRAS, 399, 683,
via NED).
This post-maximum SN Ia spectroscopic classification may be in
conflict with the reported photometry (ATel #6260), which suggests a
higher luminosity than would be expected for a normal SN Ia, and a
rising or peaking light curve rather than a declining one. SNID also
yields reasonable matches to peculiar type-Ic supernovae, like SN
2004aw near maximum light. These are not as compelling
spectroscopically as the SN Ia matches, but given the photometric
properties of ASASSN-14db, a luminous SN Ic identification may be
possible.
Further observations are encouraged.
