Electronic Telegram No. 1235 Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION M.S. 18, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A. IAUSUBS@CFA.HARVARD.EDU or FAX 617-495-7231 (subscriptions) CBAT@CFA.HARVARD.EDU (science) URL http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/iau/cbat.html SUPERNOVA 2008S IN NGC 6946 V. Stanishev, Physics Department, Stockholm University; and A. Pastorello, Queen's University; report that a spectrum of SN 2008S (cf. CBET 1234), obtained on Feb. 4.83 UT with the Nordic Optical Telescope (+ ALFOSC; range 350-900 nm) by T. Pursimo, shows that it is likely a young, reddened, type-IIn supernova. The spectrum consists of a nearly featureless red continuum with superimposed strong, narrow H_beta and H_alpha emission lines (FWHM about 1000 km/s). A strong interstellar Na I absorption line with an equivalent width of about 0.5 nm is visible at 588.8 nm. Further to CBET 1234, R. Arbour provides the following additional CCD magnitudes for 2008S, obtained with a 40-cm f/5 reflector: Jan. 24.000 UT, 17.8 (limiting mag about 18.2; pre-discovery); Feb. 4.771, 17.2 (limiting mag about 18.6). NOTE: These 'Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams' are sometimes superseded by text appearing later in the printed IAU Circulars. (C) Copyright 2008 CBAT 2008 February 5 (CBET 1235) Daniel W. E. Green