Spectroscopic Confirmation of PNV J00424912+4117027 as a Nova in M31
ATel #4658; A. W. Shafter (SDSU), K. Hornoch (Astronomical Institute, Ondrejov, Czech Republic), R. Ciardullo (PSU), M. J. Darnley, M. F. Bode (Liverpool JMU)
on 19 Dec 2012; 21:59 UT
Credential Certification: Allen W. Shafter (aws@nova.sdsu.edu)
Subjects: Optical, Nova, Transient
We report spectroscopic observations of PNV J00424912+4117027 (tentatively identified as M31N 2012-12a) discovered on 2012 Dec. 16.023 UT by K. Hornoch and A. Galad at R = 18.5 +/- 0.1 (ATel #4653). Subsequent photometry shows that the object is fading with R = 18.7 +/- 0.1, R = 18.9 +/- 0.1, and R = 19.1 +/- 0.2 on Dec. 17.029, 18.029, and 19.026 UT, respectively. At our request, a spectrum (410–900 nm) was obtained by S. Odewahn with the 9.2m Hobby-Eberly Telescope (+ Marcario Low-Resolution Spectrograph) on 2012 Dec. 19.19 UT (approximately 3 days post-discovery). The spectrum (see link below) reveals narrow Balmer and Fe II emission features (FWHM Hα ~ 1000 km/s), superimposed on a slightly blue continuum. These observations confirm that PNV J00424912+4117027 is a nova in M31, and that it is a member of the Fe II spectroscopic class. A.W.S. thanks the NSF for support through AST-1009566.
Spectra of Extragalactic Novae
