Recurrent Nova M31N 2008-12a: spectroscopic confirmation of the 2018 eruption
ATel #12179; M. J. Darnley (LJMU), M. Henze (SDSU), A. W. Shafter (SDSU), S. Kafka (AAVSO), M. Kato (Keio University), for a larger collaboration
on 6 Nov 2018; 23:25 UT
Credential Certification: Matt Darnley (M.J.Darnley@ljmu.ac.uk)
Subjects: Optical, Nova, Transient
We report the spectroscopic confirmation of the 2018 eruption (ATel #12177) of the remarkable recurrent M31 nova M31N 2008-12a (see ATels #5607,#6527,#7964,#9848,#11116 for earlier detections as well as Darnley et al. 2014, 2015, 2016 and Henze et al. 2014, 2015a, 2015b, 2018, for comprehensive multi-wavelength studies of previous eruptions).
The first of a long series of 600s spectra was obtained by the SPRAT instrument on the Liverpool Telescope at 2018 Nov 06.96 UT. This spectrum displayed a blue continuum with very broad and faint Balmer series emission lines. This spectrum is consistent with early spectra of previous eruptions.
We will continue to monitor the nova light curve and strongly encourage additional follow-up observations. Our follow-up campaign with Swift has also been triggered.
