Spectroscopic Confirmation of the Recent M31 Nova Candidate, M31N 2010-09a

ATel #2834; A. W. Shafter (SDSU), R. Ciardullo (PSU), M. F. Bode, M. J. Darnley (Liverpool JMU, UK), K. A. Misselt (U. Arizona)
on 8 Sep 2010; 00:13 UT
Credential Certification: Allen W. Shafter (aws@nova.sdsu.edu)

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We report spectroscopic observations of the recent M31 nova candidate M31N 2010-09a, which was discovered by Koichi Itagaki at magnitude 17.2 (unfiltered) on 2010 Sep. 04.552 UT (CBET 2448). At our request, a spectrum (410–950 nm) of M31N 2010-09a was obtained approximately three days post discovery on 2010 Sep. 07.23 UT with the 9.2m Hobby-Eberly Telescope (+ Marcario Low-Resolution Spectrograph). The spectrum reveals narrow Balmer and Fe II emission lines (FWHM H&alpha ~ 1100 km/s; EW H&alpha ~ -16 nm) superimposed on a shallow blue continuum. These observations confirm that M31N 2010-09a is in fact a nova, and that it is a member of the Fe II spectroscopic class.

A.W.S. thanks the NSF for support through AST-0607682, and the University of Victoria for hospitality.