Discovery of a Probable Nova in M31
ATel #16530; K. Hornoch (Astronomical Institute, Ondrejov, Czech Republic), A. W. Shafter (SDSU)
on 14 Mar 2024; 19:45 UT
Credential Certification: Allen W. Shafter (ashafter@sdsu.edu)
Subjects: Optical, Nova, Transient
We report the discovery of a probable nova found during our survey of the central region of M31. The object was discovered on a co-added 900-s R-band CCD frame taken on 2024 Mar. 13.831 UT with the 0.65-m telescope at Ondrejov.
The object designated PNV J00424600+4116446 is located at R.A. = 0h42m46s.00, Decl. = +41o16'44".6 (equinox 2000.0), which is 18.9" east and 36.1" north 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
2024-03-08.780 | >18.7 | | R | D65
2024-03-13.831 | 16.4 | 0.2 | 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
