Spectroscopic classification of M31N 2017-05a (Gaia17biq) as a classical nova
ATel #10432; S. C. Williams (Lancaster), M. J. Darnley (LJMU)
on 28 May 2017; 09:51 UT
Credential Certification: Steven Williams (scw@astro.ljmu.ac.uk)
Subjects: Optical, Nova, Transient
We obtained a spectrum of classical nova candidate M31N 2017-05a (Gaia17biq, AT 2017egi; see TNS) with the SPRAT spectrograph (resolution R ~ 350; Piascik et al. 2014) on the 2-m Liverpool Telescope (Steele et al. 2004) on 2017 May 26.20 UT.
The spectrum shows strong Balmer emission lines (Hα, Hβ, Hγ) and we measure the FWHM of Hα to be ~3100 km/s. We also identify the Fe II 42 triplet (4924, 5018, 5169 Å) and O I 7774 Å in emission. This spectrum confirms that M31N 2017-05a is a classical nova in M31 and a member of the Fe IIb (broad-lined Fe II)spectroscopic class.
