Alert Notice 492: Nova Centauri 2013 = PNV J13544700-5909080 [V1369 Cen]

Note: This nova is continuing to fade slowly. Please continue monitoring it until further notice.  -  Elizabeth O. Waagen, 7 April 2020

December 3, 2013

Event: Nova in Centaurus = Nova Cen 2013 = PNV J13544700-5909080  [V1369 Cen]

Discovered by: John Seach (Chatsworth Island, NSW, Australia)

Discovery magnitude: unfiltered magnitude 5.5 using a DSLR with 50-mm lens

Discovery date: 2013 December 02.692 UT

Coordinates: R.A. 13 54 45.34   Decl. -59 09 04.2  (2000.0, K. Hornoch,
Astronomical Inst., Ondrejov, Czech Republic)

Spectra: Low-resolution spectra obtained by Malcolm Locke (Christchurch, New Zealand) on Dec. 03.3776 UT and by Rob Kaufman (White Cliffs, NSW, Australia) on Dec. 03.621 UT show strong Ha and Hb emission lines, indicating the object is a nova. Spectra URLs below.

Charts: Charts for Nova Cen 2013 may be created using the AAVSO Variable Star Plotter (VSP) at http://www.aavso.org/vsp. Selecting an 'A' scale chart will give the widest choice of comparison stars for this very bright object. Choosing the Binocular chart option along with the 'A' scale will result in a less cluttered field and is recommended. Alternatively, setting the 'Field' option at 580 (arcmin) and 'Magnitude limit' at 8.0 will give a smaller field of view but still provide many comparison stars.

At present, however, Nova Cen 2013 has brightened beyond the comparison stars available on even an 'A' scale chart. It is recommended that observers use:
41 = eta Cru (HD 105211) V=4.142, B-V=+0.353
40 = zeta Cru (HD 106983) V=4.043; B-V=-0.174
39 = gamma Mus (variable with 0.02 mag. range) V=3.85; B-V=-0.155

Electronic observers are cautioned to be careful not to saturate the nova. Since the comparison stars are mostly fainter than the nova, it is recommended to take short exposures and stack them so as to achieve a good S/N for the comparison stars without saturating the nova.

Observations reported to the AAVSO:
2013 Nov. 26.69 UT, <11 (Seach);
27.8, <7 (PEX, A. Pearce, Nedlands, W. Australia);
Dec. 01.338, <6.3 R +/-0.2 (HOK, K. Hornoch, remotely with the La Silla Danish 1.54-m telescope, reported via CBET 3732);
02.340, 5.9 R +/-0.2 (Hornoch, reported via CBET 3732);
03.23890, 5.33 (OSE, S. Otero, Buenos Aires, Argentina);
03.28819, 5.4 (AAX, A. Amorim, Florianopolis, Brazil);
03.340, 4.8 R +/-0.2 (Hornoch, reported via CBET 3732);
03.40000, 5.3 (ERW, R. Evans, Invercargill, New Zealand);
03.581, 5.0 (WPX, P. Williams, Heathcote, NSW, Australia);
03.68, 5.0 U (E. Guido, N. Howes, and M. Nicolini, remotely using the 0.50-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + focal reducer of iTelescope network (MPC Code Q62 - Siding Spring, Australia));
03.718, 5.0 (CMQ, P. Camilleri, Warners Bay, NSW, Australia);
03.743, 4.7 (Pearce);
03.8243, 4.6 (Pearce);
04.27570, 4.28 (Otero);
04.28333, 4.2 (SGQ, C. Sigismondi, Rome, Italy);
04.29306, 4.3 (NTA, T. Napoleao, Sao Paulo, Brazil);
04.29323, 4.6 R (BJB, J-G. Bosch, Collonges/Salve, Switzerland, remotely using T400/8, Spaceobs A.Maury MPCW96, reported via vsnet-alert);
04.29722, <4.50 U (OEDA, E. Oliveira, Sao Paulo, Brazil);
04.34236, 4.35 (GAJ, J. Garcia, Rama Caida, Mendoza, Argentina);

Submit observations: Until a permanent GCVS name is assigned, please submit observations to the AAVSO International Database using the name NOVA CEN 2013.

Notes:
a. Announced on IAU CBAT Central Bureau Electronic Telegram 3732 (Daniel W. E. Green, ed.)

b. The object was designated PNV J13544700-5909080 when it was posted on the Central Bureau's TOCP webpage (http://www.cbat.eps.harvard.edu/unconf/tocp.html).

c. Spectra images
 - Malcolm Locke (Christchurch, New Zealand) at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/malclocke/11187714294/in/photostream/
 - Rob Kaufman (KBJ, White Cliffs, NSW, Australia) at
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww271/Rob_Kau/PNVJ13544700-5909080spectrum03Dec2013.jpg

d. K. Hornoch (Astronomical Institute, Ondrejov) gives position end figures 45.34s, 04.2" from R-band images taken with the Danish 1.54-m telescope at La Silla on Dec. 3.361 UT; his comparison of his stacked R-band image (left) and a DSS red image (right) is posted at http://www.asu.cas.cz/~asteroid/PNV_J13544700-5909080.png. J. Oey, P. Camilleri, and H. Williams (Blue Mountains Obs. using a 0.35-m F/5.9 + CCD) give position end figures 45.37s 04.8" (2000) from an image taken 2013 Dec 03.6895 UT. E. Guido, N. Howes, and M. Nicolini give position end figures 45.22s, 04.5" (UCAC-3 reference stars); image and animation at http://bit.ly/19f1M2l. J.-G. Bosch gives position end figures 45.21s 04.3" from images obtained remotely (T400/8, Spaceobs A.Maury MPCW96, reported via vsnet-alert) on Dec. 04.29323.

e. Guido, Howe, and Nicolini, and Hornoch report that the nearest
star (located at 1.538 arcsecond from the transient) to this
position in the USNO-B1.0 catalogue is USNO-B1.0 0308-0442031,
mag. B2=15.52 R2 =15.12. B. Skiff (Lowell Obs.) reports preferred
coordinates (2000.0) for this possible progenitor are
13 54 45.35 -59 09 04.1 (UCAC2) and 13 54 45.35 -59 09 04.1 (2MASS). Skiff also notes that there is an XMM-Newton x-ray source 2" away.

f. APASS images centered on the nova position
 - 1x1 degree APASS 2013 Dec 03 UT V band N up E left
http://www.aavso.org/sites/default/files/nova_cen_2013v.jpg
 - close-up of APASS Dec 03 V image N up E left
http://www.aavso.org/sites/default/files/nova_cen_2013_13v.jpg
 - APASS image from 2012 centered on the nova position V band N up E left
http://www.aavso.org/sites/default/files/nova_cen_2013_12v.jpg
Henden comments that there is a close companion to the NE that will be a problem as the nova fades, but is not a factor now.


Congratulations to John Seach on his latest discovery!


This AAVSO Alert Notice was prepared by Elizabeth O. Waagen and Sebastian Otero.

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