IRTF + SpeX classification of the highly reddened AT2020kvq as a Fe II type Galactic nova
ATel #13842; K. De (Caltech), M. Hankins (Caltech), V. Karambelkar (Caltech), J. Sokoloski (Columbia), M. Kasliwal (Caltech) on behalf of the Palomar Gattini-IR collaboration
on 30 Jun 2020; 15:56 UT
Credential Certification: Kishalay De (kde@astro.caltech.edu)
Subjects: Infra-Red, Optical, Cataclysmic Variable, Nova, Transient
On UT 2020-06-28, we obtained near-infrared spectroscopic follow-up
with the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) of the highly
reddened galactic nova MASTER OTJ184353.33+000350.9/AT2020kvq/PGIR20duo that was detected as a bright NIR transient and spectroscopically classified as a Galactic nova (ATel #13817) by the
Palomar Gattini-IR survey (De et al. 2020), after it was initially
reported by MASTER to TNS (Lipunov et al. 2010; see ATel #13822).
The data were obtained in the SXD mode of SpeX (Proposal 2020A111; PI:
De) covering 0.75 micron to 2.5 micron for a total exposure time of
160 s on the science target.
The nova exhibits a highly reddened continuum with the continuum
steeply rising up to the longer wavelength edge of the spectrum at 2.5
microns, consistent with the suggestion in ATel #13817. On top of the
continuum, we clearly identify broadened emission lines of hydrogen at the Pa
gamma, Pa beta and the Brackett series, He I at 1.08 micron, 2.05
micron, and O I at 1.13 and 1.31 microns. We identify numerous lines
of neutral carbon around 1.16 - 1.18 microns and at 1.69 microns
confirming a Fe II type nova (Banerjee & Ashok 2013). The typical FWHM
of the lines is about 2000 km/s.
Further follow-up observations, particularly in the near and mid-infrared wavelengths are encouraged given the highly reddened nature of the source. We thank the IRTF
staff, in particular Adwin Boogert for supporting these observations.
