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Spectroscopic Confirmation of the Recent M31 Nova Candidate, M31N 2009-02a

ATel #1928; A. W. Shafter (SDSU), R. Ciardullo (PSU), M. F. Bode, M. J. Darnley (Liverpool JMU, UK), K. A. Misselt (U. Arizona)
on 7 Feb 2009; 21:00 UT
Credential Certification: Allen W. Shafter (aws@nova.sdsu.edu)

Subjects: Optical, Nova, Transient

We report spectroscopic observations of the recent M31 nova candidate M31N 2009-02a, which was discovered by K. Nishiyama and F. Kabashima on 2009 Feb. 06.429 UT, and independently by Ovcharov et al. on 2009 Feb. 06.799 UT (ATEL #1927). At our request, a spectrum (410–950 nm) of M31N 2009-02a was obtained less than a day post discovery on 2009 Feb. 7.1 UT by M. Shetrone with the 9.2m Hobby-Eberly Telescope (+ Marcario Low-Resolution Spectrograph). The spectrum reveals Balmer and Fe II emission lines (FWHM H&alpha ~ 1700 km/s) flanked to the blue by narrow absorption features (P Cygni profiles) and superimposed on a steep blue continuum. These observations confirm that M31N 2009-02a is indeed a nova, and that it is a member of the Fe II spectroscopic class.