2005IAUC.8492....3M

M. Modjaz, R. Kirshner, and P. Challis, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, report that a spectrum (range 340-730 nm) of SN 2005ao, obtained on Mar. 8.52 UT by H. Hao with the F. L. Whipple Observatory 1.5-m telescope (+ FAST), shows it to be a type-Ia supernova with a spectral-feature age (Riess et al. 1997, A.J. 114, 722) of about -3 (± 2) days before maximum light. The supernova expansion velocity, derived from the minimum of Si II (rest 635.5 nm) and adopting the NED recession velocity of 11514 km/s for the host galaxy, is about 11000 km/s. They add that a spectrogram (range 350-740 nm) of SN 2005aq, obtained on Mar. 8.11 UT, shows it to be a type-IIn supernova; the spectrum consists of strong, intermediate-width (FWHM 800 km/s) Balmer emission lines with broad wings that are superposed on a nearly featureless and flat continuum (assuming the NED recession velocity of 4042 km/s for the host galaxy).