2006CBET..386....1B

S. Blondin, 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 2006T (cf. IAUC 8666), obtained on Feb. 2.36 UT by P. Berlind with the F. L. Whipple Observatory 1.5-m telescope (+ FAST), shows it to be a highly-reddened apparently young type-II/IIb supernova. The spectrum displays broad P-Cyg profiles from the Balmer series, typical of young type-II supernovae, and, in addition, a strong absorption feature that may result from a blend of He I 587.6-nm and Na I D, which are particularly strong in type-Ib supernovae. SN 2006T may thus evolve into a "type-IIb"-like event. The spectrum shares similarities with that of the type-IIb supernova SN 1993J taken at 19 days past explosion (Matheson et al. 2000, A.J. 120, 1487), but lacks the flat-topped emission profile visible in SN 1993J. Adopting a recession velocity of 2194 km/s for the host galaxy (de Vaucouleurs et al. 1991, Third Ref. Cat. of Bright Galaxies, ver 3.9), the maximum absorption in the H_alpha line (rest 656.3 nm) is blueshifted by 14500 km/s. Also, interstellar Na I D absorption at the redshift of the host galaxy is visible in the spectrum with an equivalent width of 0.3 nm.