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
