Spectroscopic Classifications of Five Optical Transients
ATel #9381; I. Shivvers, W. Zheng, H. Yuk, A. V. Filippenko (UC Berkeley)
on 17 Aug 2016; 00:56 UT
Credential Certification: Isaac Shivvers (ishivvers@berkeley.edu)
Subjects: Optical, Cataclysmic Variable, Supernovae, Transient
We report the classification of five recent optical transients based upon spectra (330-1000 nm) obtained on UT August 13 and 14 with the 3-m Shane reflector (+ Kast) at Lick Observatory. Classifications were performed though cross-correlation with a library of supernova spectra using the "SuperNova IDentification" code (SNID; Blondin & Tonry 2007, Ap.J. 666, 1024), and host-galaxy information was retrieved through the NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database (NED) unless otherwise noted.
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Name | z | Type | Phase | Notes
SN 2016esw | 0.028 | II | young | 1,2
SN 2016exa | 0.037 | II | young | 1
SN 2016ews | 0.046 | Ia-norm | ~max | 3
AT 2016eww | - | CV | - | 4
AT 2016exx | - | CV | - | 5
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1) Blue continuum with weak, broad hydrogen Balmer lines. Redshift measured from host galaxy's H-alpha emission line, detected in our spectrum.
2) Agrees with tentative classification given in ATel #9355.
3) SNID also indicates a good match with the somewhat abnormal Type Ia SN 1999aa.
4) Probable cataclysmic variable within the Milky Way; featureless blue continuum with possible very weak Balmer absorption lines.
5) Probable cataclysmic variable within the Milky Way; blue continuum with weak Balmer absorption lines.
