2012CBET.3041....2H

E. Y. Hsiao, M. M. Phillips, and N. Morrell, Las Campanas Observatory; G. H. Marion, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics; and M. Stritzinger, Aarhus University, report that a near-infrared spectrum (range 800-2400 nm) of PSN J16203602-1027383 = 2012ar was obtained on Mar. 3.39 UT with the FoldedPort Infrared Echellette (FIRE) spectrograph on the 6.5-m Magellan Baade Telescope. The spectrum shows that 2012ar is a type-Ia supernova a few days before maximum light. The near-infrared spectrum is similar to that of SN 2002cr at five days before maximum (Marion et al. 2009, A.J. 138, 727). The velocity of the Mg II 1092.7-nm absorption feature is measured to be approximately 11800 km/s, using an estimated redshift of z = 0.028 for the presumed host galaxy (2MASX J16203650-1028061).