2008CBET.1227....3G

SN 2008O is a type-Ia supernova at about one week after maximum light. The SNID code provides matches to SN 1994M and SN 1996X at seven and eight days after maximum light, respectively. Adopting the NED recession velocity of 11649 km/s for the host galaxy (from Wegner et al. 2003, A.J. 126, 2268), the maximum absorption of the Si II 635.5-nm line corresponds to an expansion velocity of about 14500 km/s. Such a velocity is remarkably high, considering the age suggested by the spectral matches. This is suggestive (a) that SN 2008O may be a high-velocity type-Ia supernova like SN 1984A or SN 2002bo, and (b) that the supernova may be closer to maximum light.