2005IAUC.8534....3M

M. Modjaz, R. Kirshner, and P. Challis, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, report that a spectrum (range 350-740 nm) of SN 2005cf, obtained on May 31.22 UT by P. Berlind with the F. L. Whipple Observatory 1.5-m telescope (+ FAST), shows it to be a type-Ia supernova, around ten (or more) 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 1937 km/s for the host galaxy (de Vaucouleurs et al. 1991, Third Ref. Cat. of Bright Galaxies, ver. 3.9), is about 15000 km/s.