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Spectroscopic classification of the M31 nova candidate, PNV J00424220+4113016

ATel #4256; A. W. Shafter (SDSU), M. J. Darnley, M. F. Bode (Liverpool JMU, UK), R. Ciardullo (PSU)
on 14 Jul 2012; 19:07 UT
Credential Certification: Allen W. Shafter (aws@nova.sdsu.edu)

Subjects: Optical, Nova, Transient

We report spectroscopic observations of the M31 nova candidate PNV J00424220+4113016 (M31N 2012-06g?) discovered on 2012 June 26.753 by Koichi Itagaki at m=17.4 (unfiltered). At our request, a spectrum (410–900 nm) was obtained by J. Caldwell approximately 18 days post discovery on 2012 July 14.37 UT with the 9.2m Hobby-Eberly Telescope (+ Marcario Low-Resolution Spectrograph). The spectrum is characterized by broad Balmer emission lines (FWHM Hα ~ 3300 km/s; EW Hα ~ -80.0 nm), along with N III λ 463.8 nm, N II λ 451.7 nm, 567.9 nm, He I λ 587.6 nm, 706.5 nm, and O I λ 844.6 nm emission features superimposed on a relatively flat continuum. In addition, there are emission features visible near λ 492.3 nm and λ 501.0 nm that may be due to a blend of N II λ 500.1 nm with either He I λ 492.2, 501.6 nm, or Fe II λ 492.4 nm, 501.8 nm, or both. Taken together, these observations clearly establish that PNV J00424220+4113016 is a nova in M31, and that it appears to be a member of the He/N (or possibly Hybrid) spectroscopic class. A.W.S. thanks the NSF for support through AST-1009566.