2005IAUC.8461....2M

M. Modjaz, R. Kirshner, and P. Challis, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics; and T. Matheson, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, report that a spectrum (range 350-740 nm) of SN 2005A (cf. IAUC 8459), obtained by E. Falco on Jan. 7.24 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 5738 km/s for the host galaxy, is about 14400 km/s. Zero-velocity interstellar Na I D absorption with an equivalent width of about 0.5 nm is detected in a spectrum of SN 2005A taken on Jan. 8.24 by P. Berlind, indicating gas along the line-of-sight in our Galaxy and thus suggesting reddening by dust. Schlegel et al. (1998, Ap.J. 500, 525) estimate a Galactic reddening of E(B-V) = 0.03 mag along the line-of-sight to the host galaxy.