Spectroscopic Classification of MASTER OT J044212.20+230616.7
ATel #6487; I. Shivvers, P. L. Kelly, K. I. Clubb, and A. V. Filippenko
on 23 Sep 2014; 07:48 UT
Credential Certification: Alexei V. Filippenko (alex@astro.berkeley.edu)
Subjects: Optical, Supernovae, Transient
We report that inspection of a CCD spectrum (range 330-1000 nm), obtained on September 22 UT with the 3-m Shane reflector (+ Kast) at Lick Observatory, shows that MASTER OT J044212.20+230616.7 (ATel #6484) is a Type IIn supernova. After correcting the spectrum for Milky Way dust absorption along the line of sight (E(B-V) = 0.34 mag; Schlafly & Finkbeiner 2011, Ap.J. 737, 103), the spectrum exhibits a moderately blue continuum overlain by strong hydrogen emission lines having intermediate width and broad wings (FWHM ~ 2000 km/s, FWZI ~ 20,000 km/s), as well as broad, shallow absorption features. Cross-correlation with a library of supernova spectra using the "SuperNova IDentification" code (SNID; Blondin & Tonry 2007, Ap.J. 666, 1024) provides a best match to the Type IIn SN 1996L several weeks after maximum light at a redshift of approximately 0.017.
