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 (410â950 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.
