2003IAUC.8141....3M

T. Matheson, P. Challis, and R. Kirshner, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, report that a spectrum (range 370-750 nm) of SN 2003ep (cf. IAUC 8140), obtained by P. Berlind on June 4.46 UT with the F. L. Whipple Observatory 1.5-m telescope (+ FAST spectrograph), shows it to be a reddened type-Ia supernova, 3-4 weeks past maximum. There is a relatively strong (equivalent width about 0.15 nm) Na I D absorption line at the velocity of the host galaxy.