Electronic Telegram No. 1708
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 2009al
     P. Challis, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), on behalf
of the CfA Supernova Group, reports that a spectrum (range 360-850 nm) of
2009al (cf. CBET 1705), obtained on Feb. 27 UT by J. Huchra with the F. L.
Whipple Observatory 1.5-m telescope (+ FAST), shows it to be a type-Ia
supernova.  Cross-correlation with a library of supernova spectra using the
"Supernova Identification" code (SNID; Blondin and Tonry 2007, Ap.J. 666,
1024) indicates that 2009al is a normal type-Ia supernova about 5 days before
maximum brightness.
     C. Jacques and E. Pimentel, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, report that their
180-s unfiltered CCD image (limiting magnitude 18.5) taken on Feb. 28.15 UT
remotely with a 25-cm f/3 reflector at Gras Observatory near Mayhill, NM,
U.S.A., yields mag 16.3 and the following position:  R.A. = 10h51m22s.04,
Decl. = +8d34'42".2 (equinox 2000.0).


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      superseded by text appearing later in the printed IAU Circulars.

                         (C) Copyright 2009 CBAT
2009 February 28                 (CBET 1708)              Daniel W. E. Green