Recurrent Nova M31N 2008-12a: Swift UVOT detection of the 2021 eruption
ATel #15040; M. J. Darnley (LJMU), K. L. Page (Leicester) on behalf of the 12a Collaboration
on 15 Nov 2021; 20:07 UT
Credential Certification: Matt Darnley (M.J.Darnley@ljmu.ac.uk)
Subjects: Ultra-Violet, X-ray, Nova, Transient
The 2021 eruption of the annual recurrent nova M31N 2008-12a was reported in ATel #15034, with spectroscopic confirmation report in ATel #15036. Subsequent observations have also been reported in ATels #15037, #15038, and #15039.
Here we report the first photometry of the 2021 eruption collected by the UVOT instrument on board the The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. The first observation (1-ks) was taken on 2021 Nov 15.546 (UT). The observation was taken using the UVW2 filter through which M31N 2008-12a had an apparent (Vega) magnitude of 17.69 ± 0.06 (statistical) ± 0.03 (systematic).
This is consistent with a Swift observation taken at a similar time following the 2020 eruption (ATel #14142).
In this observation there were not any X-rays detected from the target by the XRT instrument. The upper limits are 8.7e-03 counts/sec, again consistent with 2020, and as expected at this time.
These Swift observations were taken as part of an approved GI programme and will continue until 2021 Dec 5. We wish to thank the Swift Team for the extremely rapid and efficient scheduling of the ToO observations, in particular B. Cenko and J. A. Kennea, the duty scientists, and the science planners.