1803-27 Nova Sagittarii 2003 Number 2

We have been informed by the IAU Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (IAU Circular 8204) of the discovery of a nova in Sagittarius by Nicholas Brown, Quinns Rocks, W. Australia, at magnitude 9.2 on T-Max films taken on September 17.52 UT using a 135-mm f/2 camera lens. Brown estimated it at visual magnitude 8.8 on Sep. 18.43; nothing was visible to magnitude 11.0 on his films from Sep. 14.55. H. Yamaoka, Kyushu University, Japan, reported the nova at CCDV magnitude 10.7 on an ASAS-3 frame taken Sep. 16.07 UT (image merged with those of two neighboring stars). W. Liller, Vina del Mar, Chile, reported nothing visible to magnitude 11.5 on a red film taken on Sep. 13.12 UT.

Spectra by D. West, Mulvane, KS (Sep. 19.0847), and by Liller (Sep. 19.104) showed H-alpha in emission, and spectra by R. Guch, E. Polomski, C.E. Woodward, University of Minnesota; R.M. Wagner, LBT Observatory; and S. Starrfield, Arizona State University (Sep. 19.10), confirm the object as a Fe-II-class nova early in decline.

A precise position of the nova provided by West from CCDV images obtained by him on Sep. 19.085 UT is given as:

R.A. = 18h 10m 10.42s, Decl. = -27o 45' 35.2" (equinox 2000.0)

Brown noted the nova as being close to GSC 6851:1342 (listed as magnitude 11.9).

Observations reported to the AAVSO include:

SEP. 19.0847 8.98 CCDV (+/- 0.03, D. West, Mulvane, KS)
SEP. 19.0847 8.49 R_c (+/- 0.05, D. West, Mulvane, KS)
SEP. 19.1035 UT 8.91 CCDV (+/- 0.05, W. Liller, Vina del Mar, Chile)
SEP. 19.1056 9.79 CCDB (+/- 0.15, W. Liller, Vina del Mar, Chile)
SEP. 19.135 8.96 CCDV (B. Gary, Hereford, AZ)
SEP. 19.1931 8.7 (R. Royer, Springville, CA)
SEP. 19.774 9.0 CR (B. Monard, Pretoria, South Africa)

The AAVSO finder chart for this object is available at this URL:

http://www.aavso.org/cgi-bin/searchcharts3.pl?name=n%20sgr%2003#2

Please observe 1803-27 N SGR 03#2 and report your observations to AAVSO, making sure to indicate which comparison stars you used.

Congratulations to Nick Brown on his latest discovery!

Good observing,

Elizabeth O. Waagen, Deputy Director

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT AAVSO NEWSFLASH SPECIAL NOTICE:

     AAVSO News Flash Special Notices are sent when circumstances
warrant to subscribers of the AAVSO MyNewsFlash system. We
anticipate an average of one notice per month based on past
experience with the News Flash.

     Archives of Special Notices will be kept at:
      http://www.aavso.org/publications/newsflash/special.shtml

     To unsubscribe from Special Notices simply reply to this
e-mail. It will not affect your regular MyNewsFlash subscription.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------