Possible Nova in Circinus

Following the posting on the Central Bureau's Transient Object Confirmation Page about a possible Nova in Circinus (TOCP Designation: PNV J13532700-6725110) I performed some follow-up of this object through a TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD from MPC Code Q62 (iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring). 

On images taken on January 20.6, 2018 I can confirm the presence of an optical counterpart with R-filtered CCD magnitude +8.09 & V-filtered CCD magnitude +8.33 at coordinates: 

R.A. = 13 53 27.57, Decl.= -67 25 01.0 

(equinox 2000.0; Gaia DR1 catalogue reference stars for the astrometry).

This transient has been reported to CBAT/TOCP by John Seach, Chatsworth Island, NSW, Australia. Discovery made with a DSLR with 50 mm f/1.2 lens.

Below my confirmation image (single unfiltered 60-sec exposure through a 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD; MPC Code Q62). Click on the image for a bigger version: 

An animation showing a comparison between the confirmation image and the archive POSS2/UKSTU Red plate (1997-03-31). Click on the animation for a bigger version: 

UPDATE - January 31, 2018

According to CBET 4482 issued on January 30, Spectroscopy by Strader et al., obtained with the 4.1-m Southern Astrophysical Research Telscope (+ Goodman spectrograph) at Cerro Pachon, Chile, on Jan. 21.28 UT shows clear P-Cyg profiles in the Balmer lines, with the absorption troughs located about 1300 km/s blueward of the rest wavelength (emission FWHM about 1500 km/s), and a number of Fe II lines (some of which also have P-Cyg profiles) -- suggestive of a "Fe II"-type nova. See also ATel #11209. While a low-resolution spectroscopic image by S. Kiyota that shows a strong hydrogen emission line is available here.

This nova has been designated NOVA CIRCINI 2018.

by Ernesto Guido

Possible Bright Nova in Musca

Following the posting on the Central Bureau's Transient Object Confirmation Page about a possible Nova in Musca (TOCP Designation: PNV J11261220-6531086) we performed some follow-up of this object through a TEL 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + focal reducer from MPC Code Q62 (iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring).

On images taken on January 15.57, 2018 we can confirm the presence of an optical counterpart with R-filtered CCD magnitude ~6.3 at coordinates:

R.A. = 11 26 14.95, Decl.= -65 31 24.1

(equinox 2000.0; Gaia DR1 catalogue reference stars).


This transient has been reported to CBAT/TOCP by Rob Kaufman, Bright, Victoria, Australia. Discovery image (taken with Canon 650D & 55mm lens) is available here. He also posted a low-resolution spectrum that "shows strong hydrogen emissions as well as FeII lines":

Credit: R. Kaufman

Below you can see our confirmation image (single 30-sec exposure through a 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD), click on it for a bigger version:

An animation showing a comparison between our confirmation image and the archive POSS2/UKSTU Red plate (1998-03-19). Click on it for a bigger version:

UPDATE - January 16, 2018

According to CBET 4472 this transient could be a classical "Fe II"-type nova and it has been designated NOVA MUSCAE 2018.

by Ernesto Guido & Alfonso Noschese