Spectroscopic classification of M31N 2016-02a (PNV J00444349+4153401) as a classical nova in M31
ATel #8661; M. J. Darnley (LJMU), S. C. Williams (Lancaster)
on 9 Feb 2016; 21:23 UT
Credential Certification: Matt Darnley (M.J.Darnley@ljmu.ac.uk)
Subjects: Optical, Nova, Transient
We obtained a spectrum of nova candidate M31N 2016-02a (PNV J00444349+4153401; see CBAT TOCP) with the SPRAT spectrograph on the 2m Liverpool Telescope (Steele et al. 2004) on 2016 February 09.85 UT.
The spectrum only shows Hα and Hβ emission lines (Hγ is tentatively detected, Hδ is not). We measure the FWHM of the Hα line to be 3600 ± 100 km/s, with Hβ having a FWHM of 2800 ± 300 km/s. Both these Balmer lines are asymmetric, showing higher velocities on the red-side of their profiles.
This spectrum confirms that M31N 2016-02a is a classical nova eruption in M31.
