Discovery of an Apparent Nova in M31

ATel #9098; K. Hornoch (Astronomical Institute, Ondrejov, Czech Republic), H. Kucakova (Astronomical Institute, Charles U., Prague, Czech Republic)
on 30 May 2016; 03:43 UT
Credential Certification: Allen W. Shafter (ashafter@mail.sdsu.edu)

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We report the discovery of an apparent nova in M31 on a co-added 1080-s R-band CCD frame taken on 2016 May 29.050 UT with the 0.65-m telescope at Ondrejov. The new object is also visible on a prediscovery image taken on May 28.046 UT with the same instrumentation under poor conditions.

The object designated PNV J00424288+4115274 is located at R.A. = 0h42m42s.88, Decl. = +41o15'27".4 (equinox 2000.0), which is 16.3" west and 41.1" south of the center of M31 (see link to discovery image below).

The following R-band magnitudes were obtained using the 0.65-m telescope at Ondrejov:

2016 May 27.039 UT, [18.6; 28.046, 17.8 ± 0.3 (prediscovery); 29.050, 17.0 ± 0.15; 29.065, 17.1 ± 0.15.

Discovery image