Optical Spectroscopy of Nova PNV J16143400-5330050 (Nova Norma 2018)
ATel #12142; E. Aydi, J. Strader, L. Chomiuk, S. J. Swihart, and K. V. Sokolovsky (Michigan State University)
on 23 Oct 2018; 15:15 UT
Credential Certification: Elias Aydi (eaydi@saao.ac.za)
We report on optical spectroscopic observations of PNV J16143400-5330050 confirming its classical nova classification. The transient was reported by R. Kaufman on 2018-10-13.414 UT (V ~ 10.5) as a possible nova. Confirmation images and a low-resolution spectrum were obtained by S. Kiyota. The nova has faded by more than 2 mag in the last 10 days.
We obtained a 30 s low resolution spectrum of the source with the Goodman spectrograph on the SOAR telescope on 2018-10-23.03 UT. The spectrum is dominated by emission lines of H I, Fe II, Al II, Na I, Si II, and O I (see below a full list of the line identification). We measure a FWHM of ~2800 ± 100 km/s (for Halpha). No P Cygni profiles were detected. The spectrum is that of a classical nova from the Fe II (broad) spectroscopic class, possibly in the transition phase. The FWHM of Halpha indicates high ejection velocity consistent with the fast evolution of the light-curve. Further spectroscopic follow-up are required to track the evolution of the nova, but this source is approaching solar conjunction.
We also report on improved coordinates of the nova (RA 16:14:32.9; Dec -53:30:15.2) with uncertainty of about 0.2'' per coordinate.
Line identifications:
H I (Balmer): 3970, 4102, 4340, 4861 and 6563Å
Al II: 6237, 6830, 7049, and 7471Å
Al III: 5706Å
Na I: 5892 and 6159Å
Si II: 5958/79 and 6347/71Å
O I: 7773Å
C II: 7235Å
Fe II lines:
Multiplet (27): 4233, 4385, and 4417Å
Multiplet (28): 4179 and possibly 4297Å
Multiplet (37): 4491, 4515, 4556, and 4629Å
Multiplet (38): 4508, 4523, 4549, and 4584Å
Multiplet (42): 4924, 5018, and 5169Å
Multiplet (48): 5265 and 5317Å
Multiplet (55): 5535Å
