Electronic Telegram No. 1264
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)
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SUPERNOVAE 2008ai AND 2008aj
     J. M. Silverman, T. N. Steele, M. Ganeshalingam, N. Lee, and A. V.
Filippenko, University of California, Berkeley, report that inspection of
CCD spectra (range 330-1050 nm), obtained on Feb. 16 UT with the Shane 3-m
reflector (+ Kast spectrograph) at Lick Observatory, shows that 2008ai (cf.
CBET 1256) is a type-Ia supernova, approximately one week past maximum
brightness, and 2008aj (cf. CBET 1259) is a type-IIn supernova.  Removing
the host-galaxy recession velocity of 10571 km/s (Huchra et al. 1995, Ap.J.
Suppl. 99, 391) for 2008ai, the minimum of the Si II 635.5-nm absorption
feature is found to be blueshifted by about 10500 km/s.  The spectrum of
2008aj consists of a nearly featureless continuum with superimposed strong,
relatively narrow, hydrogen Balmer emission lines (average FWHM about 800
km/s).


NOTE: These 'Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams' are sometimes
      superseded by text appearing later in the printed IAU Circulars.

                         (C) Copyright 2008 CBAT
2008 February 18                 (CBET 1264)              Daniel W. E. Green