Discovery of Three Probable Novae in M31
ATel #17149; K. Hornoch (Ondrejov), H. Kucakova (Charles University), A. W. Shafter (SDSU)
on 16 Apr 2025; 20:59 UT
Distributed as an Instant Email Notice Novae
Credential Certification: Allen W. Shafter (ashafter@sdsu.edu)
Subjects: Optical, Nova, Transient
We report the discovery of three probable novae found during our survey of the central region of M31. The objects were discovered on two co-added 600-s and 480-s R-band CCD frames taken on 2025 Apr. 16.111 and 16.120 UT, respectively, with the 0.65-m telescope at Ondrejov observing M31 at very low elevation during dawn.
Designations, positions, and offsets of the new objects from the M31 center are summarized in the following table:
TOCP designation CBAT designation R.A. (J2000) Dec. (J2000) Offset R.A. Offset Dec.
PNV J00423788+4107427 M31N 2025-04a 00 42 37.88 +41 07 42.7 72.7" W 505.8" S
PNV J00424112+4115024 M31N 2025-04b 00 42 41.12 +41 15 02.4 36.1" W 66.1" S
PNV J00433279+4116281 M31N 2025-04c 00 43 32.79 +41 16 28.1 546.4" E 19.6" N
The R-band photometry is summarized here:
2025 04 03.780 2025 04 03.789 2025 04 16.111 2025 04 16.120
Object mag mag mag mag
PNV J00423788+4107427 [18.5 16.35 +/- 0.06
PNV J00424112+4115024 [19.1 17.4 +/- 0.15
PNV J00433279+4116281 [19.4 16.58 +/- 0.08
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 of PNV J00423788+4107427
Discovery image of PNV J00424112+4115024
Discovery image of PNV J00433279+4116281
