H-alpha Confirmation of Nova Candidates in M31

ATel #5099; K. Hornoch (Astronomical Institute, Ondrejov, Czech Republic), M. Orio (INAF-Padova, Italy and U. Wisconsin, USA), A. Kaur (Clemson University, USA)
on 3 Jun 2013; 15:28 UT
Distributed as an Instant Email Notice Novae
Credential Certification: Marina Orio (orio@astro.wisc.edu)

Tweet

Despite significantly worsened observing conditions of M31 due to low elongation from the Sun, the discoveries of several nova candidates in M31 has been reported during the last four months (ATel #4833, #4913, #4962, #5091, and #5092), but there have been no spectroscopic confirmations. Additional nova candidates are posted at the CBAT "Transient Objects Confirmation Page". To classify the objects, we obtained narrow-band H-alpha and Sloan r'-band CCD images of the central region of M31 using the 3.5-m WIYN telescope + pODI at Kitt Peak on May 31.43 - June 1.48 UT. Worsened seeing conditions prevented us from detecting some of the objects in Sloan r' as well as PNV J00425469+4110257 in both bands.

The photometry obtained from the WIYN + pODI images is summarized in the following table:

 
  TOCP designation    CBAT designation   H-alpha mag      Sloan r' mag       Date UT 
 
PNV J00425563+4114125  M31N 2013-05b?   17.58 +/- 0.08                    2013-05-31.445 
                                                         18.9  +/- 0.1    2013-05-31.470 
                                        18.0  +/- 0.1                     2013-06-01.455 
                                                         19.3  +/- 0.1    2013-06-01.469 
 
PNV J00424351+4116196  M31N 2013-05a?   16.4  +/- 0.15                    2013-05-31.445 
                                                         19.1  +/- 0.25   2013-05-31.470 
 
PNV J00425838+4118556  M31N 2013-04a?   18.0  +/- 0.15                    2013-05-31.445 
                                                            > 20.9        2013-05-31.470 
                                        18.4  +/- 0.15                    2013-06-01.455 
 
PNV J00425469+4110257  M31N 2013-03c?      > 20.4                         2013-06-01.455 
                                                            > 21.3        2013-06-01.469 
 
PNV J00425509+4115560  M31N 2013-03b?   16.95 +/- 0.06                    2013-05-31.445 
                                                         19.7  +/- 0.25   2013-05-31.470 
 
PNV J00424629+4113517  M31N 2013-02b?   20.3  +/- 0.4                     2013-05-31.445 
                                                            > 20.9        2013-05-31.470 
 

Strong excess in H-alpha emission is present in the PNV J00424351+4116196, PNV J00425838+4118556, and PNV J00425509+4115560. It strongly supports their classification as novae. Significant excess in H-alpha emission is present also in the PNV J00424629+4113517 and "young" nova candidate PNV J00425563+4114125, which makes their classification as novae probable.

This research uses services or data provided by the WIYN ODI Archive. The WIYN Observatory is a joint facility of the University of Wisconsin, Indiana University, Yale University, and the National Optical Astronomy Observatory.