[IAUC] CBET 1592: 20081201 : NOVA CARINAE 2008

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                                                  Electronic Telegram No. 1592
Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION
M.S. 18, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
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NOVA CARINAE 2008
     E. O. Waagen and A. Henden, AAVSO, report the discovery of an apparent
nova (mag 7.9) by Katarzyna Malek, Center for Theoretical Physics of the
Polish Academy of Sciences, on an image taken on Nov. 26.26 UT with the
"Pi of the Sky" automated survey (original report apparently via vsnet-alert
10740).  The object, which was at mag 7.55 on Nov. 27.27, was reported by
Malek to be located at R.A. = 11h13m54s, Decl. = -61o14'00" (equinox 2000.0),
though a precise position is urgently needed.
     H. E. Bond, Space Telescope Science Institute, writes that a spectrogram
(range 365-545 nm; resolution 0.43 nm) of the Malek nova candidate was
obtained with the SMARTS 1.5-m telescope on Cerro Tololo by M. Hernandez and
F. Walter on Nov. 30.37 UT.  The spectrum confirms that the object is a
classical nova, of the "Fe II" type.  The spectrum is dominated by broad
emission lines of the Balmer series and of Fe II emission features.  The FWZI
of H-beta is about 4000 km/s.  Continued spectroscopic and photometric
observations are urged.
     Visual magnitude estimates:  Nov. 29.120 UT, 8.3 (A. Amorim,
Florianopolis, Brazil); 30.775, 8.4 (N. J. Brown, Ellenbrook, West Australia).


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                         (C) Copyright 2008 CBAT
2008 December 1                  (CBET 1592)              Daniel W. E. Green