Classification of ASASSN-18pf as a classical nova in the LMC
ATel #11959; E. Aydi, L. Chomiuk, J. Strader, S. J. Swihart (Michigan State University)
on 16 Aug 2018; 20:22 UT
Credential Certification: Elias Aydi (eaydi@saao.ac.za)
Subjects: Optical, Cataclysmic Variable, Nova, Transient
We report on spectroscopic confirmation of ASASSN-18pf as a classical nova. The optical transient was reported by Stanek et al. (2018, ATel #11857) as a possible LMC nova on on 2018 Jul. 13.4. The discovery magnitude (V ~ 13) is consistent with that of a nova in the LMC during the decline from maximum light.
We obtained two (low and medium resolution) spectra of the source with the Goodman spectrograph on the SOAR telescope on 2018 Aug 15.4 and 16.4 (R ~ 1000 and R ~ 5000, respectively). The spectra are dominated by emission lines of H I, He I, N, Fe II, C, and O (see below a full list of the line identification). We measure a FWHM of ~1300 ± 50 km/s (for Hα and Hβ). The spectra is that of a classical nova in the transition phase. The central wavelength of the Balmer emission lines, as measured by Gaussian fitting, is red-shifted by ~ 290 km/s consistent with LMC radial velocities.
Line identifications:
H I (Balmer): 3835, 3889, 4102, 4340, 4861, and 6563Å
He I: 4026, 4438, 4471, 5016, 5048, 5876, 6678, and 7065Å
He II: 4686 and 5412Å
N II: 5001, 5679, 5938, and 6482Å
N III: 4517 and 4638Å
N V: 4609Å
[N II]: 5755Å
O I: 7773 and 8446Å
[O I]: 5577, 6300, and 6364Å
[O III]:
[O III]: 4363, 4959, and 5007Å - these are very weak and blended with neighbouring lines.
[S II]: 6716/31Å
C II: 4627 and 7235Å
CIII: 4187Å
Fe II lines:
Multiplet (27): 4233 and 4417Å
Multiplet (42): 4924, 5018, and 5169Å
Multiplet (46): 5991 and 6084Å - uncertain.
Multiplet (48): 5265, 5317, 5363, and 5414Å
Multiplet (55): 5535Å
Multiplet (74): 6148Å - or more likely Na I 6159Å
