SIMBAD references

P. Challis, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), on behalf of the CfA Supernova Group, reports that a spectrum (range 360-850 nm) of 2009al (cf. CBET 1705), obtained on Feb. 27 UT by J. Huchra with the F. L. Whipple Observatory 1.5-m telescope (+ FAST), shows it to be a type-Ia supernova. Cross-correlation with a library of supernova spectra using the "Supernova Identification" code (SNID; Blondin and Tonry 2007, Ap.J. 666, 1024) indicates that 2009al is a normal type-Ia supernova about 5 days before maximum brightness.