Alert Notice 701: Nova in Serpens: Nova Ser 2020 = N Ser 2020 = TCP J18104219-1534184 [V670 Ser]

February 24, 2020

AAVSO Forum threads (scroll to the bottom of a thread for latest posts):
 - Time Sensitive Alerts: https://www.aavso.org/tcp-j18104219-1534184-new-transient-121-mag-serpens
 - Novae: https://www.aavso.org/tcp-j18104219-1534184-nova-ser-2020

Event: Nova in Serpens: Nova Ser 2020 = N Ser 2020 = TCP J18104219-1534184  [V670 Ser]

Discovered by: Hideo Nishimura (Kakegawa, Shizuoka-ken, Japan)

Discovery magnitude: unfiltered CCD mag 12.1 (using a Canon EOS 6D digital camera + 200-mm f/3.2 lens)
 
Discovery date: 2020 February 22.8389 UT

Coordinates (2000.0): R.A. 18 10 42.51   Decl. -15 34 18.4  (from VSX)

Spectra: Spectroscopy obtained by E. Aydi et al. (ATel #13517) on 2020 Feb. 23.38 UT using the WFCCD instrument on the Irenee du Pont 2.5-m telescope at Las Campanas Observatory indicates that the object is a Galactic classical nova. K. Taguchi (Kyoto University) and H. Maehara (NAOJ) (ATel #13519) report that their low-resolution spectrum obtained on 2020 Feb. 23.862 UT using the Kyoto Okayama Optical Low-dispersion Spectrograph on the 3.8-m Seimei telescope at Okayama Observatory, Kyoto University, confirms the object as a classical nova shortly after maximum light.

Observing recommendations: Observations of all types (visual, CCD, DSLR, spectroscopy) and multiple bands as instrumentation permits are strongly encouraged as the nova evolves.

Observations reported to the AAVSO:
2020 Feb. 20.860 UT, <12.5 (H. Nishimura, Kakegawa, Shizuoka-ken, Japan);
22.811, 11.8 unfiltered CCD (T. Kojima, Tsumagoi, Gunma-ken, Japan, via TOCP);
22.8389, 12.1 unfiltered CCD (H. Nishimura, Kakegawa, Shizuoka-ken, Japan, discovery image);
23.19097, <12.1 (M. Deconinck, Artignosc sur Verdon, France);
23.29300, 12.401 V +/-0.068 (C. Colvin, Forest Lake, MN);
23.29300, 12.583 TG +/-0.020 (Colvin);
23.29351, 14.554 TB +/-0.066 (Colvin);
23.29351, 14.670 B +/-0.082 (Colvin);
23.29583, 12.484 V +/-0.059 (Colvin);
23.29583, 12.614 TG +/-0.024 (Colvin);
23.29633, 14.399 TB +/-0.056 (Colvin);
23.29633, 14.515 B +/-0.061 (Colvin);
23.29925, 12.465 V +/-0.070 (Colvin);
23.29925, 12.630 TG +/-0.028 (Colvin);
23.29975, 14.476 TB +/-0.059 (Colvin);
23.29975, 14.653 B +/-0.082 (Colvin);
23.30269, 12.499 V +/-0.051 (Colvin);
23.30269, 12.660 TG +/-0.024 (Colvin);
23.30319, 14.498 TB +/-0.055 (Colvin);
23.30319, 14.669 B +/-0.083 (Colvin);
23.30616, 12.612 TG +/-0.018 (Colvin);
23.3814, 13.68 g (ASAS-SN Sky Patrol, via R. Fidrich, Budapest, Hungary);
23.8248, 13.18 V (S. Kiyota, Kamagaya, Japan, via TOCP);
23.8248, 11.50 Rc (Kiyota, via TOCP);
23.8248, 10.16 Ic (Kiyota, via TOCP);
24.11, 13.62 V +/- 0.1 (B. Monard, Calitzdorp, S. Africa, via [vsnet-alert 23996]);
24.11, 11.80 R +/- 0.1 (Monard, via [vsnet-alert 23996]);
24.11, 10.13 Ic +/- 0.1 (Monard, via [vsnet-alert 23996]);
24.32292, <11.7 (C. Adib, Porto Alegre, Brazil);
24.35278, 13.5 (R. Tyson, Edgewater, MD, visual estimate from tri-green image, remotely with the Slooh C2wf scope in Chile);
24.5184, 13.896 V (R. Fidrich, Budapest, Hungary, (remotely with 0.25m iTelescope.net reflector + SBIG ST-10XME CCD at Mayhill, NM);
24.5184, 10.841 Ic (Fidrich);

Charts: Charts with comparison stars for N Ser 2020 may be created using the AAVSO Variable Star Plotter (VSP).

Submit observations: Please submit observations to the AAVSO International Database using the name N Ser 2020. When a GCVS name is assigned to this nova, please use it when submitting observations.

Notes:
a. Designated TCP J18104219-1534184 when posted to the IAU Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams Transient Object Confirmation Page (TOCP). Most information in this Alert Notice, except for spectroscopy and observations, is taken from the TOCP follow-up page.

b. Nishimura reports nothing is visible down to magnitude 12.5 at the discovery position on three frames taken on 2020 February 20.860 UT with the same instrument.
 
c. Nishimura comments that there is a faint star at position end figures 42.19s, 18.4" on the DSS.

d. Position end figures
- S. Kiyota (2020 Feb. 23.8248 UT): 42.51s, 18.41"
- B. Monard (2020 Feb. 24.11 UT): 42.29s, 18.0" (via [vsnet-alert 23996])
- R. Fidrich (2020 Feb. 24.5184 UT): 42.29s, 18.5"

e. Images
- S. Kiyota (2020 Feb. 23.8248 UT): http://meineko.sakura.ne.jp/ccd/TCP_J18104219-1534184.jpg
- R. Fidrich (2020 Feb. 24.5184 UT): https://www.dropbox.com/s/tumszwlsfrhfxdc/nser2020v60s2add_t_crop_x.jpg?dl=0

Congratulations to Hideo Nishimura on his latest discovery!