2004IAUC.8406....2M

M. Modjaz, P. Challis and R. Kirshner, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics; and T. Matheson, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, report that a spectrum (range 350-740 nm) of SN 2004el, obtained by P. Berlind on Sept. 17.12 UT with the F. L. Whipple Observatory 1.5-m telescope (+ FAST), reveals it to be a supernova of type II. The spectrum consists of a blue continuum with P-Cyg lines of H_alpha and H_beta. Adopting the Lyon-Meudon Extragalactic Database recession velocity of 7885 km/s for the host galaxy, the expansion velocity derived from the minimum of the H_beta line is 9900 km/s.