2003IAUC.8203....1M

T. Matheson, P. Challis, and R. Kirshner, Center for Astrophysics, report that a spectrum (range 370-750 nm) of SN 2003gx (cf. IAUC 8178), obtained by M. Calkins on Sept. 18.42 UT with the Mt. Hopkins 1.5-m telescope (+ FAST), shows it to be a type-II supernova. Adopting the NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database (NED) recession velocity of 10203 km/s for the host galaxy, the expansion velocity derived from the minimum of the H_beta line is 6300 km/s. A spectrum of SN 2003hy (cf. IAUC 8200), obtained by Calkins on Sept. 18.28, shows an object with a blue continuum and narrow (FWHM approximately 300 km/s) P-Cyg lines of hydrogen. Adopting the NED recession velocity of 7355 km/s for the host galaxy, the expansion velocity derived from the minimum of the H_beta line is only 1000 km/s. The broader component of the Balmer lines often seen in type-IIn supernovae is not readily apparent. The spectrum of SN 2003hy is similar to the spectra of the type-IIn supernovae 1997bs (Van Dyk et al. 2000, PASP 112, 1532) and 2001ac (IAUC 7597). SN 2003hy may be a super-outburst of a luminous blue variable (LBV) rather than a true supernova, but the reported magnitude at discovery is brighter than that of a typical LBV outburst.