ATLAS16crq is a faint, fast Galactic nova
ATel #9511; L. Chomiuk, J. Strader, E. Tremou (MSU), D. Bersier (LJMU), K. Stanek, C. Kochanek, J. S. Brown, T. W.-S. Holoien, J. Shields, G. Simonian (OSU), B. Shappee (Carnegie Observatories), J. Prieto (UDP/MAS), Subo Dong, S. Bose, Ping Chen (KIAA-PKU), J. Brimacombe (Coral Towers Observatory)
on 20 Sep 2016; 02:45 UT
Credential Certification: Laura Chomiuk (chomiuk@pa.msu.edu)
Subjects: Optical, Nova, Transient
Referred to by ATel #: 9518
We report the spectroscopic classification of the transient ATLAS16crq (ATel #9492) as a new Galactic nova. Spectra obtained with the Liverpool Telescope on UT Sep 17.9 and the SOAR telescope on UT Sep 20.0 show broad, flat-topped Balmer emission lines with a half-width at zero intensity of about 3900 km/s; the FWHM of H-alpha is about 4050 km/s. Additional broad emission lines of He I and N are present, indicating a classification as an He/N nova.
The Na I D lines are saturated in the spectra, suggesting a high level of reddening. This is not unexpected, given the nova's low Galactic latitude (l = 21.3 deg, b = 1.2 deg).
The ASAS-SN survey recovered ATLAS16crq on 2016 Sep 7.3 UT at V = 13.4 mag. It was not detected on 2016 Sep 5.3 (V > 17.6) or 2016 Sep 14.1 (V >16.3). The light curve shows remarkably fast evolution; see ASAS-SN CV Patrol.