Recurrent Nova M31N 2008-12a: spectroscopic confirmation of the 2020 eruption
ATel #14138; M. J. Darnley (LJMU) on behalf of the 12a Collaboration
on 31 Oct 2020; 21:10 UT
Credential Certification: Matt Darnley (M.J.Darnley@ljmu.ac.uk)
Subjects: Optical, Nova, Transient
In ATel #14130 we reported the discovery of the 2020 eruption of the annual recurrent nova M31N 2008-12a at 2020 Oct 30.893 (UT). We also note independent discoveries by Tonny Vanmunster at Oct 30.86, ZTF at Oct 31.24 (ATel #14131), and Catapano, Guido and Izzo at Oct 30.91 (CBAT link).
Here we confirm the 2020 eruption spectroscopically based on a single 720s spectrum obtained by the SPRAT instrument on the Liverpool Telescope at Oct 31.85. This spectrum clearly shows Balmer series emission lines above a blue continuum. The FWHM of the Hα line is 2800 ± 400 km/s.
