Electronic Telegram No. 86 Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION M.S. 18, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A. IAUSUBS@CFA.HARVARD.EDU or FAX 617-495-7231 (subscriptions) CBAT@CFA.HARVARD.EDU (science) URL http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/cbat.html SUPERNOVA 2004ek IN UGC 724 M. Modjaz, R. Kirshner and P. Challis, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics; and T. Matheson, National Optical Astrononmy Observatory, report that a spectrum (range 350-740 nm) of SN 2004ek (cf. IAUC 8405), obtained by M. Calkins on Sept. 14.47 UT, shows it to be most probably a young type II supernova. The spectrum consists of a featureless and blue continuum and is similar to an early spectrum of SN 1993J (Matheson et al. 2000, A.J. 120, 1487). NOTE: These 'Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams' are intended to be preliminary announcements of items that later appear in the formal IAU Circulars. Citations should normally be made to IAUCs rather than to CBETs. (C) Copyright 2004 CBAT 2004 September 17 (CBET 86) Brian G. Marsden