Spectroscopic confirmation of ASASSN-16ma as a classical nova in the Fe-curtain stage
ATel #9678; Paul Luckas (International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, Univ. of Western Australia; ARAS Group)
on 27 Oct 2016; 15:02 UT
Distributed as an Instant Email Notice Novae
Credential Certification: S. N. Shore (shore@df.unipi.it)
We report the results of low resolution spectroscopy (Alpy600+Atik414 CCD, R ~ 540) of the nova candidate ASASSN-16ma (ATel #9669). The spectra were obtained on 2016 Oct 27.5 UT with a resolution of about 530 and covering ~3800-7200A and S/N of about 100) with a total exposure of 3600 sec. (see ATel #9658 for details) The spectra was typical of the optically thick stage of the expansion. Neither He I nor other CNO lines were present (this is not the fireball), the Na I D doublet displayed only absorption (likely interstellar), were in absorption. The Balmer series was in emission through Hdelta with little evidence for any P Cyg absorption, with a low maximum radial velocity (HWZI) of -750+/-50 km/s on Halpha and Hbeta, (possible weak absorption on Hgamma, or perhaps blending). There is, however, a broader weak extended wing on Halpha (at about 5% of the continuum and only a few percent of the peak intensity) that extends to nearly 1050 km/s. Several lines showed moderately strong P Cyg profiles, notably Fe II 4923, 5018, and (weaker) 5169 A; Si II 6347, 6371 A; no forbidden or intercombination transitions were present. The metallic lines were typically 10-15 percent of the continuum. Observations are continuing.
ARAS Nova Database
