2012CBET.2973....2M

G. H. Marion, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), on behalf of the CfA Supernova Group, report that a spectrum (range 340-740 nm) of PSN J05164155+0629302 = 2011jq was obtained on Dec. 30 UT by P. Berlind with the F. L. Whipple Observatory 1.5-m telescope (+ FAST). Cross-correlation with a library of supernova spectra using the "Supernova Identification" code (SNID; Blondin and Tonry 2007, Ap.J. 666, 1024) shows that the object is a type-Ia supernova before maximum light. A good fit is found to the template of the 1991bg-like supernova 2005mz at 7 days before maximum. The velocities of Si II at 635.5 and 597.2 nm are 11200 and 10800 km/s, respectively, assuming a redshift of z = 0.034 that was measured from the host-galaxy emission lines. Note that this redshift differs from the value of z = 0.024 listed by NED for the proposed host galaxy, MCG +01-14-15. The R(Si II) line-depth ratio (Nugent et al. 1995, Ap.J. 455, L147) is about 0.48, which is consistent with 1991bg-like type-Ia supernovae. The most recently reported brightness (magnitude 19.3 on Dec. 29, via postings at the TOCP) is about three magnitudes below the expected brightness for a normal type-Ia supernova at maximum.