2005IAUC.8491....2M

M. Modjaz, R. Kirshner and P. Challis, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, report that a spectrum (range 350-740 nm) of SN 2005an, obtained on Mar. 4.38 UT by H. Hao with the F. L. Whipple Observatory 1.5-m telescope (+ FAST), shows it to be most probably a young type-II supernova. The noisy spectrum consists of a featureless and blue continuum and is similar to an early spectrum of SN 1993J (Matheson et al. 2000, A.J. 120, 1487). A spectrum of SN 2005am (cf. IAUC 8490), obtained on Mar. 3.29, 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.