Supernova 1997A in Anonymous Galaxy
Abstract
J. Maza, Department of Astronomy, University of Chile, reports the discovery of a supernova on a CCD image taken on Jan. 3.32 UT with the Curtis-Schmidt telescope at Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory (CTIO), as part of a new Calan/Tololo supernova search involving P. F. Ortiz, L. Campusano, M. Wischnjewsky, and R. Antezana, University of Chile; M. M. Phillips, N. B. Suntzeff, R. Schommer, A. Clocchiatti, and R. Covarrubias, CTIO; and B. Schmidt, Mount Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatories. The supernova was confirmed via CCD images taken by M. T. Ruiz and M. Wischnjewsky at the 0.9-m CTIO telescope on Jan. 8.1, from which are estimated the following magnitudes: B = 18.52, V = 18.55. A position for SN 1997A measured from the Digital Sky Survey is R.A. = 4h31m33s.39, Decl. = -61o07'10".4 (equinox 2000.0); the object is located 4".9 west and 0".1 north of the host galaxy's center. SN 1997A is not present (to V = 20.5) on a CCD frame obtained by L. Campusano with the Curtis-Schmidt telescope on 1996 Dec. 14.2. L. Wang, University of Texas; and D. Baade, European Southern Observatory (ESO), report their preliminary inspection of a spectrum (resolution about 0.3 nm, range 385.5-801.7 nm) of SN 1997A obtained on Jan. 8.1 UT with the ESO 2.2-m telescope (+ EFOSC2): "The spectrum clearly shows features of Si II, S II, and Fe III. The redshift of the host galaxy is about 17 500 km/s, as measured from the Ca H and K lines. The expansion velocity, as measured from the minimum of the Si II feature, is about 12 000 km/s after correcting for the redshift of the host galaxy. This is a type-Ia supernova prior to optical maximum."
- Publication:
-
International Astronomical Union Circular
- Pub Date:
- January 1997
- Bibcode:
- 1997IAUC.6531....2M