Finally a possible nova for southern observers!
TCP J17140253-2849233 (N:)
RA 17h14m02.53s, DEC -28°49'23.3" (J2000.0)
2018 Mar. 10.8138 UT, 9.5 mag (CCD, unfiltered)
Discoverers: Koichi Nishiyama and Fujio Kabashima (Japan)
Confirmed by Akira Takao (Kitakyusgu, Japan):
2018 Mar. 10.753 UT, 9.5 mag (CCD, unfiltered)
Follow-up reports:
http://www.cbat.eps.harvard.edu/unconf/followups/J17140253-2849233.html
Latest ASAS-SN Sky Patrol observation (Shappee et al. 2014ApJ...788...48S and Kochanek et al. 2017PASP..129j4502K): 2018 Mar. 6.3623 UT, fainter than 15.5 mag.
No previous outbursts/eruptions were recorded by them since 2016 March:
https://asas-sn.osu.edu/light_curves/750b7f20-e856-4953-813a-835e7197cf…
Crowded field.
Spectroscopy and precise astrometry are urgently required.
Clear skies,
Patrick
http://www.cbat.eps.harvard.edu/unconf/followups/J17140261-2849237.html
2018 03 10.805 UT
Discovered by H. Nishimura on 2018 Mar. 10.805 and T. Kojima on 10.807 UT, independently. Kojima gives mag = 9.5, position end figures 02s.50, 23".5. Nothing is visible at this location both images on March 3.812 taken by Kojima (limiting mag= 12.0) and Mar. 2.836 UT by Nishimura (14.7). Nishimura's image at http://www.oaa.gr.jp/~oaacs/image/PNVinOph2018.jpg
2018 03 10.8138 UT
Koichi Nishiyama and Fujio Kabashima report the discovery of a possible nova (mag. = 9.5) in Oph on two 40-s unfiltered CCD frames taken around 2018 Mar. 10.81377 UT (limiting magnitude = 13.3), using a 120-mm f/4 camera lens (+FLI 09000 camera). We have confirmed immediately the appearance of our discovery this PN on five 10-s unfiltered CCD frames taken around 2018 Mar 10.830 UT (limiting magnitude = 18.3) using a 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector (+FLI 1001E camera). (lens magnitude of referred catalogue Hipparcos, others reference catalogue GSC-ACT). Nothing is visible at this location on two past survey frames taken on 2018 Mar 03.815 UT (limiting mag. = 13.3) nor on DSS, USNO-B1.0, it was detected mag = 10.9 on Mar. 09.813 UT (limiting mag. = 13.2). We have checked in Minor Planets. Nearest star in USNO B1.0 has position end figures 02s787, 26"76, distance 4"8, magnitudes B2=17.35, R2=17.17, I=14.90.
http://www.cbat.eps.harvard.edu/unconf/followups/J17140253-2849233.html
Spectroscopic classification of TCP J17140253-2849233 as a Galactic nova
ATel #11398; S. C. Williams (Lancaster), M. J. Darnley (LJMU), M. W. Healy (LJMU)
The spectrum shows strong Balmer lines which exhibit P-Cygni profiles, with the edge of the Hα absorption component indicating a maximum velocity of -1200 km/s. O I 7773 Å is also seen with a P-Cygni profile. We identify several Fe II lines, including those at 4584, 4924, 5018, 6148, 6248 and 6456 Å. N I (7468, 7442, 7424 Å) is seen mainly in absorption, with two clear components, a lower velocity one with a minimum at -400 km/s and one at -700 km/s. The Si II 6347 and 6371 Å lines, along with Mg II (4481 Å), show a similar structure, as do a number of the Fe II lines.
This spectrum shows TCP J17140253-2849233 is a Galactic nova (Fe II type) in the early stages of an eruption.
http://www.astronomerstelegram.org/?read=11398
The color indices of this nova are, in comparison to several of the other recent bulge novae, comparatively small. Earlier today the B-V color was only about +0.7.
Steve
AAVSO Alert Notice 622 summarizes the discovery and reports on the status of N Oph 2018 No. 2 (TCP J17140253-2849233 = PNV J17140261-2849237). Please see notice for details.
Many thanks, and Good observing,
Elizabeth Waagen, AAVSO HQ