SIMBAD references

F. Ciabattari and E. Mazzoni, Lucca, Italy, report their discovery of an apparent supernova (mag about 19.2) on unfiltered CCD images (limiting magnitude about 19.5) taken on Feb. 13.81 and 15.85 UT with a 0.51-m reflector. Additional images taken on Feb. 24.88 show 2008ap at mag 18.7. The new object is located at R.A. = 7h13m47s.33, Decl. = +12o20'03".8 (equinox 2000.0), which is approximately 10" west of the nucleus of the galaxy UGC 3754. Inspection of Palomar Sky Survey (POSS) images shows nothing at this position (limiting red mag about 20.0, from an image taken on 1955 Mar. 22; limiting red mag 20.4 from 1989 Nov. 6; limiting blue mag 20.2 from 1998 Jan. 27). Following posting on the CBAT's unconfirmed- objects webpage, L. Buzzi (Varese, Italy) reports that an unfiltered CCD image (limiting magnitude 20) taken with a 0.60-m reflector on Feb. 24.035 shows a new object of mag about 18.8 at position end figures 47s.30, 02".5 (which is 11".5 west and 3".1 south of the nucleus of UGC 3754), also noting that nothing is visible at this position in the same POSS images referenced above.