TITLE: GCN GRB OBSERVATION REPORT NUMBER: 2431 SUBJECT: Peculiar Type Ic SN 2003jd (SN/GRB?), optical spectrum DATE: 03/10/28 17:57:37 GMT FROM: Krzysztof Z. Stanek at CfA T. Matheson, P. Challis, R. P. Kirshner (CfA) and P. Berlind (FLWO) report: We obtained a spectrum (range 370-750 nm) of SN 2003jd (IAUC 8232) with the F. L. Whipple Obs. 1.5-m telescope and the FAST spectrograph on Oct 28.32 UT. The supernova is a peculiar Type Ic and it shows strong similarities with SN 1998bw near maximum (Patat et al. 2001, ApJ, 555, 900). Other peculiar Type Ic SNe (such as SNe 1997ef or 2002ap) do not match up as well with SN 2003jd. The blue end of the spectrum is not as consistent with SN 1998bw, highlighting the heterogeneous nature of these peculiar Ic SNe. The spectrum and a comparison with SN 1998bw are available at http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/cfa/oir/Research/supernova/RecentSN.html Further observations, especially in other wavelengths, are encouraged. P.S. This information will appear in an IAU Circular, but has been reported here for the benefit of those GCN subscribers who do not read the IAU Circulars.