Spectroscopic Confirmation and Classification of the Recent M33 Nova Candidate, M33N 2010-12a
ATel #3086; A. W. Shafter (SDSU), R. Ciardullo (PSU), M. F. Bode, M. J. Darnley (Liverpool JMU, UK), K. A. Misselt (U. Arizona)
on 22 Dec 2010; 21:49 UT
Credential Certification: Allen W. Shafter (aws@nova.sdsu.edu)
Subjects: Optical, Nova, Transient
We report spectroscopic observations of the M33 nova candidate, M33N 2010-12a, recently discovered at m=16.6 (unfiltered) by T. Yusa on 2010 Dec. 17.42 UT (CBET #2595).
At our request a spectrum (410â910 nm) of M33N 2010-12a was obtained by John Caldwell on 2010 Dec. 22.20 UT (~5 days post discovery) with the Marcario Low-Resolution Spectrograph on the 9.2m Hobby-Eberly Telescope. The spectrum reveals broad Balmer (FWHM Hα ~ 4800 km/s), He I λ 447.1, 501.6, 587.6 nm, He II λ 468.6 nm, N II λ 567.9nm, N III λ 464.0 nm, and O I λ 777.3, 844.6 nm emission emission features superimposed on a relatively flat continuum. Lines of Fe II are either weak or absent. These data confirm that M33N 2010-12a is indeed a nova, and that it is a member of the He/N spectroscopic class.
We are grateful to Anita Cochran and Rob Robinson for allocating Director's Discretionary time for our observations. A.W.S. thanks the NSF for support through AST-0607682 and AST-1009566.
