NOVA SCUTI 2009

Following the posting on the Central Bureau's unconfirmed-objects webpage about a possible nova in Scuti, on 2009 November 09.08 we performed some follow-up of this object through a 0.25-m, f/3,4 reflector + CCD, from GRAS Observatory (near Mayhill, NM).

We can confirm the presence of an optical counterpart with unfiltered CCD magnitude about 8.5 (UCAC-2 Catalogue reference stars) at coordinates:

R.A. = 18 43 45.57, Decl.= -07 36 42.0

(equinox 2000.0; UCAC-2 catalogue reference stars).

Our confirmation image:

The extreme stellar crowding due to nearby field stars makes this measurement rather difficult. A comparison with a DSS red plate(limiting magnitude about 20), obtained on 1996, Aug. 13, fail to show a clear unambiguous pre-outburst precursor.

This is an animation showing of our image and the DSS plate:

More details about the discoverer have been provided on the CBET circular No. 2008, issued of 2009 November 09. This CBET announces the discovery of Hideo Nishimura (Japan) of a possible nova (mag 8) on two 10-s CCD frames (limiting magnitude 11.5) taken on Nov. 8.3699 and 8.3700 UT using a Canon EOS 5D camera (+ Minolta 120-mm f/3.5 lens).

by Ernesto Guido & Giovanni Sostero