Classification of M31N 2017-01e as a He/N nova
ATel #10042; S. C. Williams (Lancaster), M. J. Darnley (LJMU)
on 3 Feb 2017; 00:47 UT
Credential Certification: Steven Williams (scw@astro.ljmu.ac.uk)
Subjects: Optical, Nova, Transient
Referred to by ATel #: 15729
We obtained a spectrum of classical nova candidate M31N 2017-01e (TCP J00441072+4154221; see CBAT TOCP) with the SPRAT spectrograph (resolution R ~ 350; Piascik et al. 2014) on the 2-m Liverpool Telescope (LT; Steele et al. 2004) on 2017 February 2.83 UT.
The spectrum shows strong, and very broad, Balmer emission lines (Hα, Hβ, Hγ), with both Hα and Hβ clearly displaying a double-peaked structure. We measure the FWZI of the Balmer lines to be ~10,000 km/s. Additionally, we identify broad He I emission lines at 5876Å and 7065Å, and N III (4640Å). This spectrum confirms M31N 2017-01e is a classical nova eruption in M31 and a member of the He/N spectroscopic class. Very broad He/N lines are seen in many recurrent novae (e.g. U Sco, Diaz et al. 2010; Nova LMC 1968, ATel #8586 #8616), therefore further follow-up observations are encouraged.
