Possible Reddened Supernovae in NGC 972 and NGC 5900

C. C. Dudley and J. Fischer, Naval Research Laboratory, report the discovery of two possible high-extinction supernovae in images obtained with the U.S. Naval Observatory 1.55-m telescope (+ 2.1- micron K' filter + ASTROCAM 1024x1024 ALADDIN InSb imager) at Flagstaff (discovery observations tabulated below, with discovery dates and approximate K' magnitudes at time of discovery). PSN Date (UT) R.A. (2000.0) Decl. K' Offset K0210-1 2002 Oct. 16.3 2h34m13s.34 +29o18'36".2 14.7 5" S K0304-1 2003 Apr. 17.4 15 15 06.97 +42 12 19.3 17.7 20" E, 17" S Additional approximate K' magnitudes for PSN K0210-1 in NGC 972: 2002 July 26.5 UT, [17.5 (3 sigma); Nov. 26.3 UT, 15.7; 2003 Jan. 13.1, 16.8 (3 sigma). W. Li, University of California, infers that examination of KAIT images during 2002 Sept. 5-Dec. 3 shows nothing obvious at the position of K0210-1 (though there may have been a very faint optical transient visible during that time located about 16".2 west and 19".5 north of the nucleus of NGC 972). Additional approximate K' magnitudes for PSN K0304-1 in NGC 5900: 2003 May 17.3, 17.9. Li adds that there is no obvious optical transient at the position of K0304-1 in KAIT images taken between 2003 Mar. 5 and July 5 (limiting mag about 21.0).