2005CBET..112....1M

M. Modjaz, R. Kirshner, and P. Challis, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, report that a spectrum (range 350-740 nm) of SN 2005am (cf. IAUC 8490), obtained by H. Hao on Mar. 3.29 UT with the F. L. Whipple Observatory 1.5-m telescope (+ FAST), shows it to be a type-Ia supernova, one or two weeks before maximum. The supernova expansion velocity, derived from the minimum of Si II (rest 635.5 nm) and adopting the NED recession velocity of 2368 km/s for the host galaxy, is about 12700 km/s.