February 12, 2018
Event: Probable Nova in M31: ASASSN-18ca = PNV J00423439+4044255
Discovered independently by:
- Koichi Itagaki (Yamagata, Japan; reported via CBAT TOCP)
- All Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN) (reported by J. Brimacombe et al. in ATel #11275)
Discovery magnitude:
- Itagaki: 16.7 unfiltered CCD magnitude
- ASAS-SN: 16.5 g (using data from the quadruple 14-cm "Leavitt" telescope in Fort Davis, Texas)
Discovery date:
- Itagaki: 2018 February 07.3830 UT
- ASAS-SN: 2018 February 08.07 UT
Coordinates (2000.0): R.A. 00:42:34.40 Decl. +40:44:26.02 (from VSX, ASAS-SN position)
Itagaki gives offset 1903" South and 113" West from the center of M31.
ASAS-SN gives offset 4543" South and 148" West from the center of M31.
Spectra: Spectroscopy has not yet been reported identifying the nature of this object.
Observing recommendations: Observations of all types (visual, CCD, DSLR, spectroscopy) and multiple bands as instrumentation permits are strongly encouraged as this object evolves. Dr. Koji Mukai (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) recommends that observers use B, V, and I filters if possible to enable studying any color changes.
Observations reported to the AAVSO:
2018 Feb. 06.12 UT, <18.6 g (ASAS-SN, Brimacombe et al., ATel #11275);
07.3830, 16.7 U (K. Itagaki, Yamagata, Japan; discovery; via TOCP);
07.451, 16.5 U (Itagaki; image at http://k-itagaki.jp/images/M31-35.jpg);
07.48, 16.6 U (T. Noguchi, Chiba-ken, Japan; via TOCP);
08.07, 16.5 g (ASAS-SN, discovery; ATel #11275);
Charts: Charts with a comparison star sequence for ASASSN-18ca may be created using the AAVSO Variable Star Plotter (VSP). Be sure to include the hyphen as shown.
Submit observations: Please submit observations to the AAVSO International Database using the name ASASSN-18ca.
ASASSN-18ca = PNV J00423439+4044255 is the topic of the AAVSO Time Sensitive Alerts forum thread https://www.aavso.org/asassn-18ca-probable-new-nova-m31
Notes:
a. Designated PNV J00423439+4044255 when posted to the IAU Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams Transient Object Confirmation Page (TOCP). Unless otherwise noted, the information in this Alert Notice is taken from the TOCP page or ATel #11275 (Brimacombe et al.).
b. Brimacombe et al. report nothing was seen at the location of the object down to magnitude 18.6 g in images taken on 2018 February 6.12 UT and before.
c. Confirmation of the object was also obtained on 2018 February 8 UT in images obtained by J. Brimacombe.
d. Images (from TOCP)
- K. Itagaki (2018 Feb. 07.451 UT): http://k-itagaki.jp/images/M31-35.jpg
- T. Noguchi (Chiba-ken, Japan, 2018 Feb. 07.483 UT): http://park8.wakwak.com/~ngc/images/PNVinM31_20180207.jpg
e. End position figures
- K. Itagaki (2018 Feb. 07.3830 UT): 34.39", 25.5"
- T. Noguchi (2018 Feb. 07.483 UT): 34.41s, 26.0"
Congratulations to Koichi Itagaki and to the ASAS-SN team on this discovery!
This AAVSO Alert Notice was compiled by Elizabeth O. Waagen.
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