[BAA-ebulletin 00821] Novae and Supernovae

[Rick]

[BAA-ebulletin 00821] Novae and Supernovae
(c) 2014 British Astronomical Association    http://www.britastro.org/

It would seem there is a lot of excitement in some quarters at the moment about 2 possible supernovae and a possible nova.

The latter, PNV J03093063+2638031, was discovered by Seiji Ueda (Hokkaido, Japan) on 2014 Oct. 29.630 UT, at mag 11.0 in Aries on an unfiltered CCD image.. It's position is R.A. 03h09m29.86s Decl. +26?38'04.49" (J2000.0). The discovery image can be found at http://meineko.sakura.ne.jp/ccd/PNV_J03093063+2638031.jpg .

It is well placed for observation in the later evening. However, the latest spectroscopic observations show that it is probably not a nova but a WZ Sge type star (a cataclysmic variable). Nonetheless, observations would still be appreciated by the variable star section.

Now the possible supernovae. The first, PSN J12215757+0428185, was discovered by Koichi Itagaki, Yamagata, Japan on 2014 Oct. 29.8376 UT, at mag 13.6 again using an unfiltered CCD in M61. It's position is R.A. 12h21m57.57s Decl. +04?28'18.5" (J2000.0). The discovery image is at http://www.k-itagaki.jp/images/4303.jpg

The last object is MASTER OT J120451.50+265946.6 in NGC 4080 (see ATel #6634): http://www.astronomerstelegram.org/?read=6634 , a possible 13.9 mag supernova discovered on 2014-10-28.87454 UT. Its position is 12h 04m 51.50s +26d 59m 46.6s.

So, unfortunately, these two objects are almost impossible to observe from the UK, rising just before dawn. However, for those with access to remote telescopes (iTelescope, etc) you may stand a better chance. However, once again, the VSS will be delighted to recieve your observations.

Roger Pickard, VSS Director