Spectroscopic classification of PNV J17422408-2053088 as a Galactic nova
ATel #11928; S. C. Williams (Lancaster), M. J. Darnley (LJMU), M. W. Healy (LJMU)
on 9 Aug 2018; 23:22 UT
Credential Certification: Steven Williams (scw@astro.ljmu.ac.uk)
Subjects: Optical, Nova, Transient
Referred to by ATel #: 11940
We obtained a spectrum of PNV J17422408-2053088 (see CBAT TOCP) on 2018 Aug 9.93 UT. The spectrum was taken with the FRODOSpec spectrograph (Barnsley et al. 2012) on the 2-m Liverpool Telescope (Steele et al. 2004), with a wavelength coverage of 3900 to 5100 Å and 5900 to 8000 Å and resolution of R ~ 5400.
The spectrum shows strong Balmer lines which exhibit P-Cygni profiles, with the edge of the Hα absorption component indicating a maximum velocity of -1600 km/s. We identify O I (7773 Å), N I (7424, 7442 and 7468 Å) and Si II (6347 and 6371 Å), all of which show P-Cygni profiles. The spectrum displays numerous Fe II lines, including those at 4179, 4233, 4385, 4556, 4584, 4629, 4924, 5018, 6148, 6248 and 6456 Å. The majority of the Fe II lines can also clearly be seen to show P-Cygni profiles. In addition, weak He I features are present at 6678 and 7065Å.
This spectrum shows PNV J17422408-2053088 is a Galactic nova (Fe II type) in the early stages of an eruption.
