Discovery of a Probable Nova in M31, M31N 2026-02a
ATel #17692; K. Hornoch, H. Kucakova (Ondrejov), A. W. Shafter (SDSU)
on 20 Feb 2026; 19:39 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 1080-s R-band CCD frame taken on 2026 Feb. 20.738 UT with the 0.65-m telescope at Ondrejov.
The object was designated as M31N 2026-02a = PNV J00425133+4113491 and is located at R.A. = 0h42m51s.33, Decl. = +41o13'49".1 (equinox 2000.0), which is 79.0" east and 139.4" 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 (D65):
Date [UT] | Mag | Err | Filter | Telescope
2026-02-15.818 | >19.4 | | R | D65
2026-02-20.738 | 18.3 | 0.1 | R | D65
2026-02-20.766 | 18.1 | 0.1 | 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
