Spectroscopic classification of PTF12js as an Fe II nova in M31
ATel #3850; A. W. Shafter (SDSU), M. J. Darnley, M. F. Bode (Liverpool JMU, UK), R. Ciardullo (PSU), K. Hornoch (Astronomical Institute, Ondrejov, Czech Republic)
on 7 Jan 2012; 12:40 UT
Credential Certification: Allen W. Shafter (aws@nova.sdsu.edu)
Subjects: Optical, Nova, Transient
Referred to by ATel #: 3851
We report spectroscopic observations of the M31 nova candidate PTF12js (M31N 2012-01a?) recently reported by Cao & Kasliwal (ATel #3846). At our request, a spectrum (410–900 nm) was obtained by J. Caldwell on 2012 Jan. 07.14 UT with the 9.2-m Hobby-Eberly Telescope (+ Marcario Low-Resolution Spectrograph). The spectrum reveals narrow Balmer and Fe II emission lines (FWHM Hα ~ 800 km/s; EW Hα ~ -2.0 nm) with pronounced P Cygni profiles superimposed on a blue continuum. These observations confirm that PTF12js is an Fe II nova in M31 observed near maximum light. Inspection of an image of the field taken with the 0.65-m telescope at Ondrejov on the night of Jan. 04.84 UT reveals the nova on the rise at R = 19.7 +/- 0.3.
A.W.S. thanks the NSF for support through AST-1009566.
HET Spectra of Local Group Novae
