Spectroscopic classification of AT2020xyv as a classical nova in M31
ATel #14116; L. Izzo (DARK/NBI), M. Della Valle (INAF/OAN), R. Gilmozzi (ESO), P. Selvelli (INAF/OATs), A. Catapano, E. Guido (OASDG), D. Carosati, M. Pedani (TNG)
on 24 Oct 2020; 09:23 UT
Distributed as an Instant Email Notice Novae
Credential Certification: Luca Izzo (luca.izzo@gmail.com)
Referred to by ATel #: 14117
We report spectroscopic observations of AT2020xyv (PNVJ00423733+4120519) obtained with the 3.58m TNG telescope equipped with LRS at Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos in La Palma (Spain). Observations started on October 24 at 01:12:54 UT and they consisted of three exposures of 600s each. The combined spectrum (covering the range 3,500-8,000 AA, resolving power R = 585) shows bright emission lines of H-alpha and H-beta, the presence of O I 7773 and Fe II lines (multiplet 42 and blended multiplets 37 and 38). From the H-alpha profile, we measure an FWHM of ~4,000 km/s. H-alpha and H-beta lines show P-Cygni profiles (although not prominent) with a minimum at ~ -2,800 km/s. The spectrum is then consistent with a broad-line Fe IIb Classical Nova in M31 (Shafter et al., 2011;Williams, 1992).
This nova was reported by Zhang and Gao as a new source of G ~ 16.9 mag in images obtained on October 22.55. They also report upper limits (G > 20.5 mag) in images obtained on October 21.55. Kucacova et al. report in ATel #14114 the first detection of this nova in images obtained on October 21.74 as an object with R = 18.1 +- 0.2. We have obtained daily BVR photometric observations of this nova with the 0.5m telescope at the Osservatorio Salvatore di Giacomo, Agerola (Italy). We have first detected the nova in BVR images obtained on October 21.92 as a new object in M31 with a magnitude V = 17.70 +- 0.05 mag. The most recent observations of this nova were obtained by us on October 23.85, and we report the following magnitudes: B = 19.39 +- 0.32 mag, V = 18.11 +- 0.12 mag, R = 19.06 +- 0.15 mag.
