Independent Discovery of a Probable Nova in M31
ATel #16032; K. Hornoch (Astronomical Institute, Ondrejov, Czech Republic), H. Kucakova, P. Zasche (Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic), A. W. Shafter (SDSU)
on 8 May 2023; 22:52 UT
Credential Certification: Allen W. Shafter (ashafter@sdsu.edu)
Subjects: Optical, Nova, Transient
We report the independent discovery of a probable nova found during our survey of the central region of M31. The object was discovered on a co-added 1440-s R-band CCD frame taken on 2023 May 8.079 UT with the 0.65-m telescope at Ondrejov.
The object was independently discovered on May 7.873 UT by M. Zhang and X. Gao and designated as PNV J00424488+4115033 = AT 2023hrm.
The object was designated by us as M31N 2023-05a and is located at R.A. = 0h42m44s.89, Decl. = +41o15'02".8 (equinox 2000.0), which is 6.4" east and 65.7" south of the center of M31 (see link to discovery image below).
The following R-band magnitudes were obtained using the 0.65-m telescope at Ondrejov (D65):
Date [UT] | Mag | Err | Filter | Telescope>
2023-05-04.066 | <18.9 | | R | D65
2023-05-08.079 | 16.49 | 0.08 | R | D65
As with all extragalactic novae, follow-up spectroscopic and photometric observations to confirm the nova's nature and determine its spectroscopic class and rate of decline (speed class) are encouraged.
Discovery image
