AAVSO Alert Notice 304

SUBJECT: 1732-23 NOVA OPHIUCHI 2004 - POSSIBLE NOVA IN OPHIUCHUS

Event: Possible nova

Announced in: IAU Circular 8323, 15 April 2004

Discovered by: Akira Takao, Kitakyushu, Japan (reported via H. Yamaoka, Kyushu University, Japan, IAUC 8323)

Discovery Magnitude: about 11.1 CCD (unfiltered) (IAUC 8323)

Discovery Date: CCD images taken Apr. 14.80 UT (IAUC 8323)

Position (equinox 2000.0):
- discovery position (Takao): R.A. = 17h 39m 00s, Decl. = -23o 28.5' (uncertainty >/= 10") (IAUC 8323).
- precise position: R.A. = 17h 38m 45.49s, Decl. = -23o 28' 18.5",
measured by K. Itagaki, Teppo-cho, Japan, from his unfiltered CCD image taken with a 0.60-m reflector on Apr. 15.684 UT (reported by S. Nakano, Sumoto, Japan, IAUC 8323).

Magnitude History:
- Nothing was visible at Takao's position on his images taken between 2002 Mar. 18 and 2004 Mar. 31 (limiting mag 11.9) (IAUC 8323).
- Nothing obvious appears near Itagaki's position on the Digitized Sky Survey.

AAVSO Chart: 'd' scale chart, based on Itagaki's position, available at

http://www.aavso.org/cgi-bin/searchcharts3.pl?name=N%20OPH%2004

Report Object to the AAVSO as: 1732-23 N OPH 04

Additional Observations Reported to the AAVSO:
Apr. 14.31 UT, 10.9 V (ASAS-3 data, reported by A. Price, Watertown, MA);
Apr. 15.684, 10.2 CCD, K. Itagaki, Teppo-cho, Japan (IAUC 8323).

Spectra: none to date

Notes: The closest star in the USNO-A2.0 catalogue is a very red object (red mag 17.2) with position end figures 45.367s, 17.56" (IAUC 8323).

Congratulations to Akira Takao on his discovery!

SUBMIT OBSERVATIONS TO THE AAVSO

We encourage observers to submit observations via our web site (online data submission tool WebObs), or by email in AAVSO format to observations@aavso.org. If you do not have AAVSO Observer Initials, please contact Headquarters so we may assign them to you. The answering machine at AAVSO Headquarters is on nights and weekends; use our charge-free number (888-802-STAR = 888-802-7827) to report your observations, or report them via fax (617-354-0665).

Many thanks for your valuable astronomical contributions and your efforts.

Good observing!

Elizabeth O. Waagen
Interim Director