M31N 2010-10b: A Slowly-Evolving, Fe II Nova in M31
ATel #3039; A. W. Shafter (SDSU), K. Hornoch (Astr. Inst., Ondrejov, Czech Republic), M. J. Darnley, M. F. Bode (JMU, Liverpool, UK), R. Ciardullo (PSU), K. A. Misselt (U. Arizona)
on 18 Nov 2010; 17:09 UT
Credential Certification: Allen W. Shafter (aws@nova.sdsu.edu)
Subjects: Optical, Nova, Transient
We report spectroscopic observations of the
M31 nova candidate M31N 2010-10b, which was discovered by
one of us (KH) on 2010 Aug. 19.055 UT (CBET #2487).
At our request, a series of spectra (410â900 nm) of M31N 2010-10b
were obtained on 2010 Oct. 28.31, Nov. 03.31, and Nov. 11.28 UT with
the 9.2m Hobby-Eberly Telescope (+ Marcario Low-Resolution Spectrograph).
The early spectra were characterized by narrow (unresolved) Balmer
(FWHM Hα < 600 km/s) and Ca II infrared triplet emission
features superimposed on a blue continuum. The most recent spectrum
reveals relatively narrow Balmer (FWHM Hα ~ 900 km/s),
Fe II (42,48,49), He I λ 587.6, 667.8, 706.5 nm,
and Ca II λ 849.8, 854.2, 866.2 nm emission lines
superimposed on a flat continuum. These observations
suggest that M31N 2010-10b is in fact a very slowly-evolving nova in M31,
and that it appears to be a member of the Fe II spectroscopic class.
A.W.S. thanks the NSF for support through AST-0607682 and
the University of Victoria for hospitality.