POSSIBLE NOVA IN MESSIER 31

[Whitters]

Alert from "The Astronomer" http://www.theastronomer.org/index.html

Anyone got any images of M31 recently? If you have then submit them to TA, se web address above.

POSSIBLE NOVA IN MESSIER 31
On 2005 January 10, Ron Arbour, South Wonston, England, reported his detection of a new object in Messier 31 (NGC 224) on an unfiltered CCD images taken on 2005 Jan.10.92492 U.T. with a 0.3-m f/6.3 Schmidt-Cassegrain and Starlight Xpress camera during the course of searches for the UK Nova/Supernova Patrol.

It proved difficult to obtain a precise position but an image was received. Ron commented that it was not present on his image of M31 obtained on 2004 December 31.

Subsequently we have today learnt from the Central Bureau (IAUC 8461) that K. Hornoch of the Czech Republic also found this object on 2005 Jan 7.89UT using a 0.35-m telescope. Hornoch's position for the new object is  RA 00h 42m 28.38s DEC +41 16' 36.2" (2000), which is 180" W and 28"
N of the centre of M31.

Ron Arbour has now provided a position with end figures RA 28.34s; DEC 37.6" and quoted the object's magnitude as about 15.

P. Kusnirak, Ondrejov has reported a pre-discovery image of 2005 January 6.76UT when the object was at magnitude 19.2.

Congratulations to Ron on the discovery of this presumed nova.

Guy M Hurst