Catching the Light of a Baby Supernova

Sequence of densely-sampled optical spectra from 1.7 to 21 days after the X-ray outburst obtained with the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph on Gemini North in Hawaii. There is a clear evolution from a mostly featureless continuum to broad absorption lines, and finally to strong absorption features caused by some elements abundant in the fast expanding shell. From the spectral evolution sequence the supernova SN 2008d is classified as a Helium rich Type Ibc supernova.