Supernova SN 2014bv ( = PSN J12243098+7532086) in NGC 4386: image and spectroscopy

PSN J12243098+7532086 in NGC4386

Updates (21 June 2014): the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (CBAT) issued CBET 3911 (subscription required), were this object is officially designed SN 2014bv. The mentioned CBET reports our observations: “Additional CCD magnitudes for 2014bv: […] May 19.913, 16.0 (G. Masi; 43-cm telescope at Ceccano, Italy; position end figures 31s.00, 08″.8; image posted at URL https://www.virtualtelescope.eu/?p=8332); […]. Masi adds that spectroscopy obtained on June 19.95 with a 36-cm telescope (using a 100 lines/mm grating, with a dispersion of 3.45 nm/pixel; twelve co-added 300-s images) at Ceccano shows Si II absorption around 610 nm, suggesting that this is a type-Ia supernova; assuming a recessional velocity of 1677 km/s for the host galaxy, NGC 4386 — via NED — an expansion velocity of 12000 km/s is derived from the minimum of the Si II 635-nm line.”

As usual at Virtual Telescope, each observing night we check the Transient Page at Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams, to see if there are new suspect transients waiting for optical and – possibly – spectroscopic confirmation.

Last night we observed PSN J12243098+7532086, a possible supernova in NGC 4386, reported at mag. 16.0. The 17″ robotic unit immediately confirmed this bright object on 120-seconds exposures, as shown in the image above, where the object was found at mag. 16.0 (R).

Being the source bright, we managed to grab spectra, using our 14″ robotic unit. Below is the average of 12, 300-seconds images, taken using a 100 lines/mm grating, with a dispersion of 34.5 angstroms/pixel. They were co-added and the resulting image shows Si II absorption around 6100 angstroms, suggesting this is a type Ia supernova. Assuming a recessional velocity of 1677 km/s for the host galaxy (NGC 4386, via NED), an expansion velocity of 12000 km/s is derived from the minimum of the Si II 6350-angstrom line.

PSN J12243098+7532086: spectrum

Plotting the spectrum from the image above, the Si II feature is much more apparent. The plot below is calibrated in wavelength, but nor corrected for instrumental response.

PSN J12243098+7532086: spectrum

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