Supernova 1997ei in NGC 3963

S. Nakano, Sumoto, Japan, reports a discovery by M. Aoki, Tsukioka-cho, Toyama, of an apparent supernova (mag 16.5) on six frames taken on Dec. 23 (limiting mag about 18.0) with a 0.43-m f/6 reflector (+ unfiltered CCD) and confirmed on three frames taken on Dec. 24. SN 1997ei is located at R.A. = 11h54m59s.98, Decl. = +58o29'26".4 (equinox 2000.0), which is 10" east and 10" south of the center of NGC 3963. Eleven previous frames taken by Aoki from 1996 Dec. 21 to 1997 Nov. 3 do not show an object at this position, though a possible faint image is present on a frame taken on 1997 Dec. 5; nothing is present at this position on the Digital Sky Survey.