2011CBET.2708....1J

Zhangwei Jin, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China; and Xing Gao, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China, report the discovery of a possible supernova (mag approximately 14.2) on a 60-s survey image (limiting mag about 19.5) taken by Xing Gao in the course of the Xingming Observation Sky Survey around Apr. 26.8234 UT using a Celestron C14 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope (+ unfiltered CCD camera) at Mt. Nanshan. The new object is approximately located at R.A. = 11:55:45.56, Decl. = +55:19:33.8 (equinox 2000.0), which is about 5".3 east and 19".1 north of the center of the galaxy NGC 3972. Nothing is visible at this position on archival images taken on Apr. 8 and 10 (limiting mag 19.5) or on a Digitized Sky Survey image from 1991 May 7 (limiting mag about 19.5; no plate type or bandpass noted). The discovery image is posted at the following website URL: http://www.xjltp.com/XOSS/XM20ZJ/XM20ZJ.htm. This variable was designated PSN J11554556+5519338 when posted at the Central Bureau's TOCP webpage and is here designated SN 2011by based on the spectroscopic report below.