Supernova 1987E in NGC 4725

M. Rosa, European Southern Observatory, La Silla, reports his discovery with the ESO 1.5-m telescope of a supernova in NGC 4725, located at R.A. = 12h49m54s, Decl. = +25 34'39" (apparent), or 11" west and 96" north of the galaxy's nucleus. The object is in the outer edge of a spiral arm along with prominent associations, and is 2" north of a faint red star. Spectra (8-nm resolution; range 350-980 nm) show broad maxima at 492, 541, 582, 610, and 652 nm, and a sharp minimum at 591 nm (interstellar?), indicating a type-I SN; the features and red color suggest it is past maximum brightness. CCD images on Apr. 24.183 UT yield V = 15.7, B-V = +1.35. Infrared photometry by Bouchet at the 1-m telescope is likely contaminated by the red star: J = 10.0, H = 9.37, K = 9.07. BVRI imaging and Savart plate polarimetry have been obtained at the 3.6-m, 2.2- m, and Danish 1.5-m telescopes by Macchetto, Miley, Rasmussen, and Roeser. Supernovae 1940B and 1969H were also in NGC 4725.