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Recurrent Nova M31N 2008-12a: discovery of the 2017 eruption

ATel #11116; D. Boyd (BAA), K. Hornoch (Ondrejov), M. Henze (SDSU), M. J. Darnley (LJMU), A. W. Shafter (SDSU), S. Kafka (AAVSO), M. Kato (Keio University), for a larger collaboration
on 31 Dec 2017; 20:06 UT
Credential Certification: Martin Henze (henze@ice.cat)

Subjects: Optical, Nova, Transient

We report the discovery of the predicted 2017 eruption of the remarkable recurrent M31 nova M31N 2008-12a (see ATels #5607,#6527,#7964,#9848 for earlier detections as well as Darnley et al. 2014, 2015, 2016 and Henze et al. 2014, 2015a, 2015b for comprehensive multi-wavelength studies of previous eruptions).

The nova was clearly detected on 2017-12-31.77 UT using 26 x 30s images obtained with a 0.35-m Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, working at f/6.3 with a clear filter and a Starlight Xpress SXVR-H9 CCD camera, at the West Challow Observatory UK. The discovery magnitude is 18.41±0.04 mag in the CV band (clear visual). The discovery was confirmed at the Ondrejov observatory. We will continue to monitor the nova light curve and strongly encourage additional follow-up observations.