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Fermi-LAT Gamma-ray Detection of the probable nova PNV J17261813-3809354

ATel #16439; C. C. Cheung (NRL), on behalf of the Fermi Large Area Telescope Collaboration
on 10 Feb 2024; 03:06 UT
Credential Certification: Teddy Cheung (Teddy.Cheung@nrl.navy.mil)

Subjects: Gamma Ray, >GeV, Nova, Transient

Referred to by ATel #: 16440, 16441, 16444, 16484, 16492, 16641

The Large Area Telescope (LAT), one of two instruments on the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, has detected gamma-ray emission from a source positionally consistent with PNV J17261813-3809354, a likely optical nova discovered by A. Pearce on 2024 Feb 8.827 UT at 7.8 mag (http://www.cbat.eps.harvard.edu/unconf/followups/J17261813-3809354.html).

Preliminary analysis of LAT data using 6-hr time bins indicates its first detection, at low significance, with test statistic, TS = 21, between 2024 Feb 9.50 - 9.75 UT with a (E >100 MeV) flux of (2.8 +/- 1.2) x 10^-6 photons cm^-2 s^-1 and a photon index = 2.2 +/- 0.3 (statistical uncertainties only).

Because Fermi normally operates in an all-sky scanning mode, regular gamma-ray monitoring of this source will continue. In consideration of the ongoing activity of this source, we encourage multi-wavelength observations. For this source the Fermi LAT contact person is C.C. Cheung (Teddy.Cheung@nrl.navy.mil).

The Fermi LAT is a pair conversion telescope designed to cover the energy band from 20 MeV to greater than 300 GeV. It is the product of an international collaboration between NASA and DOE in the U.S. and many scientific institutions across France, Italy, Japan and Sweden.