Liverpool Telescope observations of five Local Group nova candidates
ATel #11983; M. J. Darnley (LJMU), M. W. Healy (LJMU), S. C. Williams (Lancaster)
on 24 Aug 2018; 13:01 UT
Credential Certification: Matt Darnley (M.J.Darnley@ljmu.ac.uk)
Subjects: Optical, Nova, Transient
We conducted spectroscopic observations of five nova candidates in M31 using the SPRAT instrument (Piascik et al. 2014) on the 2m-robotic Liverpool Telescope (LT; Steele et al. 2004). Each spectral observation is preceded by a series of (typically at least 3) 10s acquisition images taken either by SPRAT (unfiltered) or IO:O through a Sloan-r' filter. Each spectrum consists of 3×600s exposure time using the blue-optimised mode of SPRAT.
AT2018ely was reported on 2018-07-31 (see TNS and CBAT TOCP). AT2018feu was reported on 2018-08-17 (see TNS). PNV J00392190+4015488 was reported on 2018-08-13 (see CBAT TOCP). PNV J00451587+4210269 was reported on 2018-08-21 was reported on 2018-08-13 (see CBAT TOCP). AT2018fhy was reported on 2018-08-21 (see TNS).
The results are summarised below:
Nova candidate Date (UT) Balmer FWHM (km/s) Classification
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AT2018ely 2018-08-08.195 No source seen in acquisition images
AT2018feu 2018-08-24.008 No source seen in acquisition images
AT2018fhy 2018-08-24.066 Source detected -- too faint
PNV J00392190+4015488 2018-08-24.091 940±30 M31 Nova: Fe II
PNV J00451587+4210269 2018-08-24.138 1100±100 M31 Nova: Fe II
LT follow-up photometry of PNV J00392190+4015488 and J00451587+4210269 will commence.
