November 14, 2017
Event: Nova in Ophiuchus
Discovered by: Shizuo Kaneko (Kakegawa, Shizuoka-ken, Japan)
Discovery magnitude: magnitude 9.4 (CCD, unfiltered, using using Canon 6D digital camera + f/3.2 200-mm lens)
Discovery date: 2017 November 11.3736 UT
Coordinates (2000.0): R.A. 17 18 45.04 Decl. -24 54 22.1 (from VSX)
Spectra: Spectroscopy indicating that PNV J17184504-2454221 is an Fe-II nova (highly reddened) was obtained by L. Chomiuk et al. (ATel #10959) on 2017 Nov 13.00 UT using the Goodman Spectrograph on the SOAR 4.1m telescope.
Observing recommendations: Observations of all types (visual, CCD, DSLR, spectroscopy) and multiple bands as instrumentation permits are strongly encouraged as the nova evolves. Dr. Koji Mukai (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) recommends that observers use B, V, and I filters if possible to enable studying any color changes. Because the object is heavily reddened, V and I would be better than B and R. He does not recommend R, as it contains H-alpha, which complicates interpretation.
Dr. Mukai and colleagues have requested a target-of-opportunity observation with the NASA Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, i.e., asking Fermi to modify its survey pattern to increase exposure time in the general direction of the nova. Optical observations are extremely important, so despite the nova's proximity to the Sun, observations are urgently requested. Dr. Mukai also suggests that observers able to carry out spectroscopy might find this object an interesting target.
Observations reported to the AAVSO:
2017 Nov. 11.3736 UT, 9.4 U (S. Kaneko, Kakegawa, Shizuoka-ken, Japan, unfiltered CCD; via TOCP);
11.94931, 9.8 (A. Amorim, Florianapolis, Brazil; Tycho-2 comparison stars);
11.98699, 10.411 B +/-0.028 (F.-J. Hambsch, Mol, Belgium);
11.98726, 10.439 B +/-0.027 (Hambsch);
11.98752, 10.402 B +/-0.025 (Hambsch);
11.98777, 9.265 V +/-0.019 (Hambsch);
11.98792, 9.256 V +/-0.018 (Hambsch);
11.98808, 9.271 V +/-0.018 (Hambsch);
11.98826, 7.377 I +/-0.024 (Hambsch);
11.98841, 7.336 I +/-0.024 (Hambsch);
11.98856, 7.325 I +/-0.023 (Hambsch);
12.3465, 9.39 V (S. Kiyota, Kamagaya, Japan; object was very low in the sky and comparison star was very red, so photometry might have large systematic error; via TOCP);
12.3465, 8.86 Rc (Kiyota);
12.3465, 8.02 Ic (Kiyota);
12.356, 9.8 U (T. Noguchi, Chiba-ken, Japan, unfiltered CCD; via TOCP);
12.94653, 10.0 (Amorim);
12.99602, 10.940 B +/-0.032 (Hambsch);
12.99630, 10.942 B +/-0.033 (Hambsch);
12.99656, 10.925 B +/-0.031 (Hambsch);
12.99681, 9.882 V +/-0.023 (Hambsch);
12.99696, 9.983 V +/-0.023 (Hambsch);
12.99711, 9.971 V +/-0.023 (Hambsch);
12.99729, 7.890 I +/-0.024 (Hambsch);
12.99744, 7.860 I +/-0.024 (Hambsch);
12.99760, 7.848 I +/-0.024 (Hambsch);
13.49375, 9.9 (A. Pearce, Nedlands, W. Australia);
13.98799, 11.321 B +/-0.053 (Hambsch);
13.98826, 11.333 B +/-0.047 (Hambsch);
13.98877, 10.487 V +/-0.025 (Hambsch);
13.98892, 10.482 V +/-0.027 (Hambsch);
13.98907, 10.482 V +/-0.025 (Hambsch);
13.98926, 8.269 I +/-0.026 (Hambsch);
13.98942, 8.298 I +/-0.025 (Hambsch);
13.98957, 8.304 I +/-0.025 (Hambsch);
Charts: Charts with a comparison star sequence for PNV J17184504-2454221 may be created using the AAVSO Variable Star Plotter (VSP).
Submit observations: Please submit observations to the AAVSO International Database using the name PNV J17184504-2454221. Once a GCVS name is announced in an IAU Circular or CBET, please use that name.
Notes:
a. Designated PNV J17184504-2454221 when posted to the IAU Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams Transient Object Confirmation Page (TOCP). Unless otherwise noted and except for observations reported to the AAVSO, the information in this Alert Notice is taken from the TOCP page or ATel #10959.
b. S. Kaneko writes that nothing is visible at the nova's location on a frame taken on 2017 November 4 UT.
c. Confirmed by T. Noguchi (Chiba-ken, Japan) on 2017 Nov. 12.356 UT at magnitude 9.8 (unfiltered CCD).
d. T. Noguchi (Chiba-ken, Japan, 2017 Nov. 12.356 UT) reports position end figures 45.01s, 21.8".
e. P. Schmeer (Saarbruecken-Bischmisheim, Germany) reports that three Gaia DR1 sources (all of 20 mag) are within 6" of the reported position of this transient. One of them (G= 20.3 mag; position end figures 45.07s, 23.3") is 1.7" from the discovery position.
f. T. Noguchi (Chiba-ken, Japan, 2017 Nov. 12.356 UT) provides the following image: http://park8.wakwak.com/~ngc/images/PNVinOph_20171112.jpg.
Congratulations to Shizuo Kaneko on his discovery!
This AAVSO Alert Notice was compiled by Elizabeth O. Waagen.
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