[IAUC] CBET 1497: 20080905 : POSSIBLE NOVA IN CENTAURUS

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                                                  Electronic Telegram No. 1497
Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION
M.S. 18, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
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POSSIBLE NOVA IN CENTAURUS
     G. Pojmanski, D. Szczygiel, and B. Pilecki, Warsaw University
Astronomical Observatory, report the discovery of a possible nova on 3-min
CCD images obtained with the ASAS-3V instrument of the All Sky Automated
Survey (200-mm-f.l. 70-mm-aperture f/2.8 telephoto lens + Johnsons V filter;
pixel size 14".8).  The position of the variable is given as R.A. = 14h35m03s,
Decl. = -64o06'.4 (equinox 2000.0); there are several faint stars within 1
pixel of this position in the USNO-B1 catalogue.  ASAS-3V magnitudes for the
possible nova:  Aug. 24.070 UT, not seen; 26.045, 9.97; 26.056, 9.93; 29.060,
8.40; 30.040, 8.38; Sept. 1.015, 8.53.
     G. Sostero, E. Guido, and P. Camilleri obtained "LBVRI" CCD images during
Sept. 2.4-2.5 UT remotely with a 0.3-m f/6 reflector at Trunkey, NSW,
Australia, yielding position end figures 02s.54, 20".0 and the following
magnitudes (uncertainty about 0.05 mag) for the variable:  Sept. 2.39,
B = 9.54, V = 8.63, R = 8.03, I = 7.42; Sept. 2.46, B = 9.69, V = 8.70, R =
8.10, I = 7.60.  Comparison with a Palomar Sky Survey plate from 1991 July
17 (limiting red mag around 20) and an infrared plate from 1981 Mar. 2 shows
the presence near position of an extremely faint optical counterpart
(position end figures 02s.46, 20".2 and mag about 19.5) at the detection
limit of the plates; the star field is extremely crowded, and limiting
magnitude is difficult to establish.  Sostero et al. have posted an image
of the possible nova at the following website URL:  http://tinyurl.com/5mcxrs.
     Additional magnitudes for the possible nova, visual unless otherwise
noted:  Aug. 23.994, [12.2 (W. Liller, Vina del Mar, Chile, Tech Pan film +
orange filter); Sept. 2.48, 8.4 (P. Camilleri, Hurstville, NSW, Australia);
2.891, 8.3 (J. G. de S. Aguiar, Campinas, Brazil); 2.938, 8.5 (W. Souza,
Sao Paulo, Brazil); 3.890, 9.2 (Aguiar).


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                         (C) Copyright 2008 CBAT
2008 September 5                 (CBET 1497)              Daniel W. E. Green