PQT 080119:091534+081356 is a probable dwarf nova near maximum

ATel #1367; E. Glikman, A. Mahabal, A. Drake, S. G. Djorgovski, G. Herczeg (Caltech), H. E. Bond (STScI), C. Donalek, M. Graham, R. Williams (Caltech), C. Baltay, D. Rabinowithz, A. Bauer, N. Ellman, and the PQ survey team
on 24 Jan 2008; 21:52 UT
Credential Certification: S. George Djorgovski (george@astro.caltech.edu)

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Spectra of the transient PQT080119:091534+081356 (Donalek et al., ATEL #1362) obtained at the Palomar 200-inch Hale telescope on 20 Jan 2008 UT show strong Balmer lines (beta through zeta, and possibly higher) in absorption, superposed on a fairly blue continuum; the H alpha line may be just filled by associated emission; and there is a possible weak absorption line of He I 4471. All are at a zero redshift, within the measuring uncertainties. No other significant features are seen in either emission or absorption.

We interpret this spectrum as being due to a dwarf nova near the maximum. This outburst has a large amplitude (a factor of a 100), given the faint counterpart seen in the SDSS (~ 22.8 mag).

At the discovery date of 19 Jan 2008 UT, the magnitudes calibrated to the SDSS system were: g = 17.64 +- 0.03, r = 17.69 +- 0.06, i = 17.98 +- 0.09, and z = 17.82 +- 0.10 mag. The following night, 20 Jan 2008 UT, they were: g = 17.81 +- 0.03, r = 17.73 +- 0.10, i = 18.09 +- 0.09, and z = 18.32 +- 0.12 mag. Thus, the object was fading very slightly over a 24-hour period. Approximate photometry obtained at the Palomar 60-inch telescope on 20 Jan 2008 UT is in a general agreement with these magnitudes and colors: B = 17.3, V = 17.7, R = 17.75, and I = 18.0 mag, with estimated uncertainties of 0.1 mag.

Spectra and other information on this object are available at http://palquest.org/transients/

Real-time discoveries of transients from the PQ survey are reported at http://voeventnet.caltech.edu/

PQ Survey Selected Transients