2009CBET.1788....1K

K. Kinugasa, S. Honda, H. Takahashi, H. Taguchi, and O. Hashimoto, Gunma Astronomical Observatory; and K. Ayani, Bisei Astronomical Observatory, write that low-resolution spectra (range 400-800 nm, resolution about 500) of 2009ds (cf. CBET 1784), were obtained on Apr. 29.6 and 30.5 UT with the GAO 1.5-m telescope (+ GLOWS). The spectrum shows it to be a type-Ia supernova before maximum light. Adopting the NED recession velocity of 5774 km/s for NGC 3905 (de Vaucouleurs et al. 1991, Third Reference Catalogue of Bright Galaxies, ver. 3.9), the expansion velocity derived from the Si II absorption minimum (rest 635.5 nm) is about 13000 km/s.