2011CBET.2678....2P

R. W. Pogge, Ohio State University; P. Garnavich, Univeristy of Notre Dame; and M. Pedani, Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) Observatory, report that a spectrogram of PSN J07023406+5035250 = SN 2011ay was obtained with the LBT (+ MODS1 spectrograph) on Mar. 21.15 UT. The seeing was estimated to be 1".0 FWHM, so a 1".2 slit was employed. The continuum is very blue, even beyond 400 nm. A weak, broad absorption feature is seen at 615.6 nm after correcting for the recession velocity of 6296 km/s (Miller and Owen 2001, Ap.J. Suppl. 134, 355). This feature is identified as Si II with an expansion velocity of 9400 km/s. Strong absorption features at 428.2 and 498.8 nm are identified as Fe III lines. Overall, the spectrum is similar to the peculiar type-Ia supernova 1999aa at 11 days before maximum light (Garavini et al. 2004, A.J. 128, 387).