[IAUC] IAUC 9205: T Pyx [25139-2011/04-R1]

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                                                  Circular No. 9205
Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION
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T PYXIDIS
     E. Waagan, AAVSO, communicates that M. Linnolt (Ocean View, HI,
U.S.A.) observed an outburst of the recurrent nova T Pyx at visual
magnitude 13.0 on Apr. 14.2931 UT.  According to observations in
the AAVSO International Database, the last outburst of T Pyx
occurred on 1966 Dec. 10 (cf. IAUCs 1983, 1986, 1993), when it
reached visual mag 6.5 from fainter than 15th magnitude; it was
brighter than magnitude 8 for two months, fading to mag 14.3 by
1967 Oct. 8.  Previous outbursts occurred in 1890, 1902, 1920, and
1944.  Additional information was given on CBET 2700.  Visual
magnitude estimates by A. Pearce, Nedlands, W. Australia:  Apr.
14.501, 11.1; 14.665, 10.8; 15.502, 8.3; 15.627, 8.3; 16.497, 7.9.
     Ernesto Guido and Giovanni Sostero obtained unfiltered CCD
images of T Pyx remotely through with two telescopes at the GRAS
Observatory at Officer, Australia, on Apr. 15.38, yielding mag
about 8.6 and position R.A. = 9h04m41s.56, Decl. = -32o22'47".4
(equinox 2000.0; USNO-B1.0 catalogue reference stars); on Apr.
16.37, they measured magnitudes V = 7.7, B = 8.0, and R = 7.5.
     L. Izzo, Sapienza Universita di Roma; A. Ederoclite and J. I.
Gonzales Hernandez, Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias; E. Mason,
Space Telescope Science Institute and European Space Agency; and M.
Della Valle, Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF), Capodimonte
Astronomical Observatory, Napoli, report on their spectroscopic
observation of T Pyx with the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (+ SARG;
range 462-795 nm; resolution 57000) obtained on Apr. 14.89 UT.  A
preliminary analysis shows that the spectrum is dominated by Balmer,
N II, and Na I emission lines.  H_alpha and H_beta are flanked by
blue-shifted P-Cyg profiles, and the mean expansion velocity
derived from the minimum of the P-Cyg absorptions is about 1800
km/s.  The measured FWHM of Balmer lines is about 1200 km/s.  The
Na I interstellar lines appear saturated, thus suggesting a high
absorption/reddening.
     R. Angeloni, K. Helminiak, and L. Vanzi, Pontificia
Universidad Catolica de Chile; F. Di Mille, Australian Astronomical
Observatory and Las Campanas Observatory; and D. Fugazza, INAF,
Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera, report that near-infrared images,
obtained on Apr. 15.23 UT with the 0.6-m REM telescope (+ REMIR)
located at La Silla, yield the following magnitudes:  J = 7.79, H =
7.29, K = 7.18.  REM photometric monitoring of T Pyx is continuing.

                      (C) Copyright 2011 CBAT
2011 April 18                  (9205)            Daniel W. E. Green