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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

Referred to by ATel #: 5677, 7189, 12417

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 (410–900 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.