Bright Optical Transient Near the Antennae Galaxies from the Catalina Sky Survey

ATel #1337; A. J. Drake, S. G. Djorgovski, R. Williams, A. Mahabal, M. J. Graham (Caltech); E. Christensen (Gemini Observatory); E. C. Beshore, S. M. Larson (LPL/UA)
on 19 Dec 2007; 04:37 UT
Distributed as an Instant Email Notice Request For Observations
Credential Certification: Andrew J. Drake (ajd@cacr.caltech.edu)

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We have detected a bright (V ~ 13) optical transients in the Catalina Sky Survey (CSS) with the Mt. Bigelow 0.8m Catalina Schmidt Telescope on 18 Dec 2007 UT. The transient is unresolved, and at the following J2000 coordinates:

CSS-071218:120153--185822

, 2007-12-18 UT 12:49:10

, RA 12:01:52.80

, Dec -18:58:21.72

For finding charts and additional information, please see: http://voeventnet.org/feeds/ATEL/CSS.

The object is on the edge of a spiral arm of the Antennae Galaxies and is consistent with a supernova at this distance. The set of CSS discovery observations consists of four images spanning approx 20 minutes. The transient was detected in all images and is constant in magnitude and position over the time span of the images. The object does not match the location of any known asteroid. The source is not seen in archival CSS or HST images.

All stationary CSS optical transients are detected and published as VOEvents in real-time at http://voeventnet.org/feeds/Catalina.shtml and here http://voeventnet.caltech.edu/feeds/Catfeed.xml (RSS)