[IAUC] IAUC 9276: V2944 Oph = N Oph 2015 = PNV J17291350-1846120; 324P [25139-2012/04-R1]

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                                                  Circular No. 9276
Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION
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 20 Oxford St.; Cambridge, MA  02138; U.S.A.
CBATIAU en EPS.HARVARD.EDU           ISSN 0081-0304
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Prepared using the Tamkin Foundation Computer Network


V2944 OPHIUCHI = NOVA OPHIUCHI 2015 = PNV J17291350-1846120
     As first announced on CBET 4086, S. Nakano, Sumoto, Japan,
reports the discovery by Y. Sakurai (Mito, Ibaraki-ken, Japan) of
an apparent nova (mag 12.2) on two 15-s frames (limiting mag 12.5)
taken on Mar. 29.766 UT using a Nikon D7100 digital camera (+
180-mm-f.l. f/2.8 lens); Sakurai provided the star's position as
R.A. = 17h29m13s.5, Delta = -18o46'12" (equinox 2000.0).  Nakano
measured Sakurai's JPEG frame and determined magnitude 12.3 and
position end figures 13s.43, 14".0 (probable error +/- 3").  The
variable was designated PNV J17291350-1846120 when it was posted at
the Central Bureau's TOCP webpage.  P. Schmeer, Bischmisheim,
Germany, notes that there is a star of mag about 18 at position end
figures 13s.58, 13".7 in the USNO-B1.0 catalogue.  Pre-discovery
magnitudes for the variable: Mar. 27.628, 13.7 (R. Kaufman, Bright,
Victoria, Australia; Canon 650D camera + 200-mm-f.l. lens;
approximate V magnitude); 28.766, [12.5 (Sakurai; limiting
magnitude assumed); 28.777, [12.5 (T. Kojima, Tsumagoi, Gunma-ken,
Japan; 150-mm-f.l. f/2.8 lens; communicated by Nakano).  S. Kiyota,
Kamagaya, Japan, measured magnitudes V = 12.26 and I_c = 11.57 (and
position end figures 13s.42, 13".8) from CCD images taken remotely
on Mar. 30.540 with a 0.61-m astrograph.  Low-resolution
spectroscopy by M. Fujii (Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan) and by K.
Ayani, Bisei Astronomical Observatory (Ibara, Okayama, Japan), on
Mar. 30.8 UT suggest that the variable is a "He/N"-type nova.
Further details are given on CBET 4086.  The variable was
designated when it was posted at the Central Bureau's TOCP webpage.
E. Kazarovets, N. Samus, and O. Durlevich note that the permanent
GCVS designation V2944 Oph has been assigned to this variable.


COMET 324P/2015 K3 (LA SAGRA)
     Scott S. Sheppard, Carnegie Institution for Science; and Henry
H. Hsieh, Academia Sinica and Planetary Science Institute, report
that the main-asteroid-belt object known as comet 324P/2015 K3 =
P/2010 R2 (cf. IAUC 9169, CBET 4107) has become active again as it
approaches perihelion.  A tapered tail was observed in two 400-s
VR-band CCD exposures taken with the 6.5-m Magellan-Baade telescope
at Las Campanas on May 22 UT, and it was confirmed to be present in
three 180-s r'-band CCD exposures taken with the 3.6-m Canada-
France-Hawaii Telescope on Mauna Kea on May 23.  The tail extended
about 6" from the nuclear condensation in position angle about 251
deg.  This is the fourth active minor planet in the main asteroid
belt to exhibit recurrent activity near perihelion after being
inactive around aphelion.

                      (C) Copyright 2015 CBAT
2015 August 3                  (9276)            Daniel W. E. Green