ASASSN-18fv: probable nova (10 mag or brighter) in Carina

Affiliation
Association Francaise des Observateurs d'Etoiles Variables (AFOEV)
Wed, 03/21/2018 - 05:18

ASASSN-18fv (N:)
https://www.aavso.org/vsx/index.php?view=detail.top&oid=611993

RA 10h36m13.7s, DEC -59°35'53.9" (J200.0)
Discoverer: All Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN)

"ASAS-SN Discovery of a Possible, Very Bright Galactic Nova ASASSN-18fv" (ATel #11454): http://www.astronomerstelegram.org/?read=11454

ASAS.SN images: http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/asassn/followup/asassn-18av.jpg
ASAS-SN lightcurve: https://asas-sn.osu.edu/light_curves/d4516005-ae77-4260-accc-2ce6382cb9…

ASASSN-18fv 20180315.34 <170V ASN
ASASSN-18fv 20180316.32 104V ASN
ASASSN-18fv 20180320.32 >100V ASN

Spectroscopy and precise astrometry are urgently required.

Sebastián Otero's earlier thread here: https://www.aavso.org/bright-nova-carina

Clear skies,
Patrick

Earlier thread here: https://www.aavso.org/bright-nova-carina

Affiliation
Association Francaise des Observateurs d'Etoiles Variables (AFOEV)
Follow-up B and V photometry (ATel #11457)

2018 March 21.47 UT: V= 6.62, B= 7.19 mag

M. J. I. Brown, J. Upjohn, E. Rol, A. Obradovic, D. K. Galloway, K. Ackley, J. Davies, C. Lane, S. Olofsson, N. Reader (Monash University): "Photometry and brightening of Galactic transient ASASSN-18fv" (ATel #11457)
http://www.astronomerstelegram.org/?read=11457

Affiliation
Association Francaise des Observateurs d'Etoiles Variables (AFOEV)
ASASSN-18fv is a classical nova in the iron curtain phase

Paul Luckas (International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, University of Western Australia): "Spectroscopic Observations of ASASSN-18fv as a Classical Nova in the Iron Curtain Phase" (ATel #11460)
http://www.astronomerstelegram.org/?read=11460

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
AAVSO Alert Notice on ASASSN-18fv

AAVSO Alert Notice 626 announces and reports on ASASSN-18fv, the bright nova discovered in Carina. Please see the notice for details and observing recommendations.

Many thanks, and Good observing,

Elizabeth Waagen, AAVSO HQ

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
6.3 tonight

It is not an easy object to observe in 7x50 binoculars due to the proximity of the 51 comparison star.
But it seems it is still getting brighter.

Cheers,
Sebastian

Affiliation
None
ASASSN-18fv spectrum

I agree Sebastian, it is not an object for small binoculars.  I took a low-res optical spectrum last night (21 Mar) and it appeared featureless, with no obvious emissions or absorptions. It's a hard one to get a clear spectrum on at the scale I shoot because of the proximity of the bright star (and other bright stars in the vicinity).  Estimate roughly mag 6.5 on 21.635 March 2018 UT.  I've attached a widefield image showing the Eta Carinae Nebula - pretty part of the sky!

Cheers -

Rob Kaufman  KBJ

 

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
The 9.4 mag. red companion

A friend made me realize that I am not resolving the nova and the 9.4 red companion (which is slightly variable) in my visual observations made with 7x50 binoculars. I am applying a correction to subtract the light of that star now.
It amounts to 0.06 at mag. 6.3 and 0.09 at mag. 6.6.
Posted here because others may be also suffering from the same issue.

Cheers,
Sebastian

 

Affiliation
Variable Stars South (VSS)
Spectrum of the nova

I took a high resolution spectrum tonight that clearly shows Ha emission and P Cyg profie.

Terry