Electronic Telegram No. 411 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 2006al S. Blondin, M. Modjaz, R. Kirshner, and P. Challis, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, report that a spectrum (range 350-740 nm) of SN 2006al (cf. IAUC 8677), obtained on Feb. 24.34 UT by M. Calkins with the F. L. Whipple Observatory 1.5-m telescope (+ FAST), shows it to be a type-Ia supernova, with a spectral-feature age (Riess et al. 1997, A.J. 114, 722) of 0 +/- 2 days from maximum light. Cross correlation with a library of type-Ia supernova spectra indicates that SN 2006al is at a redshift z = 0.068 +/- 0.005 (cz = 20400 +/- 1500 km/s), consistent with the recession velocity of its host galaxy (whose SDSS position is given as R.A. = 10h39m28s.53, Decl. = +5o11'01".2, equinox 2000.0; cz = 20341 +/- 47 km/s, from Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 2). Adopting either value for the recession velocity of the supernova, the maximum absorption in the Si II line (rest 635.5 nm) is blueshifted by 11000 km/s. NOTE: These 'Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams' are sometimes superseded by text appearing later in the printed IAU Circulars. (C) Copyright 2006 CBAT 2006 February 25 (CBET 411) Daniel W. E. Green