[vsnet-chat 594] Nova Confirmations (Buczynski)

[Taichi Kato <tkato@kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp>]

From vsnet-err-request@kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp Mon Sep  8 03:40 JST 1997
Date: Sun, 7 Sep 1997 19:04:15 +0100
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From: Denis Buczynski <denis@cb978iau.demon.co.uk>
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Dear All,
After reading Dr Marsdens comments regarding the reporting and
confirmation of Supernovae and Novae it is perhaps obvious that CBAT are
increasingly becoming innundated with reports of Supernovae in external
galaxies made by amateurs with CCD sytems which are capable of reaching
deeper than previously was the case for photography. That many of the
"suspects" are subsequently found to be minor planets which are readily
identifiable when astrometry and a data base search is undertaken, must
be most frustrating for Marsden and his staff. Observers seem to regard
the discovery claim as the first objective rather than the oft quoted
desire to see early science being undertaken by others. Observers need
to undertake all available methods of confirmation themselves before
making "discovery claims" particularly of supernovae. 

The case with regard to novae is, I believe, very different. From my
recollection most novae discovered by amateurs are fairly bright (above
mag 12) and in this respect astrometry and a minor planet data base
search would doubtless rule out the possiblitity of identifying a minor
planet as a nova. After undertaking such fundemental steps, then any
bright and apparently new object should be reported, if not to CBAT than
to a filter organisation such as TA in the UK or the AAVSO in the USA.In
the case of visual discovery of novae these tend to be much brighter (0-
8 mag), these finds can quite easily be verified and early confirmed
reporting of these is important.In my own case as the confirming
observer for GED Alcocks visual discovery of Nova Hercules
1991=V838her,(IAUC 5222, 5223) I  was able to alert observers, only
hours after the discovery, using the Rosat satellite and X rays were
able to be detected in this very fast novae only five days after
discovery (Nature Vol 356 March 1992 p222-224).In addition early
important spectroscopy was able to be undertaken within hours of the
discovery by observers at the AAT in Australia and on La Palma. There
was no doubt that time was of the essence in this case. The search for
quiesent counterparts mentioned by Dr Kato brought a smile to my face,
as there were reported (for V838 her) four different positions for the
same candidate identified on the POSS plates!

With regard to the request for confirmation of suspect objects on the
WWW I see this as a good development. The recent case of the "nova" near
M51 (vsnet alert 955) and our subsequent report (vsnet alert 956) with
non confirmation saved this ending up as a "discovery" report to CBAT.I
am convinced that we as amateurs should keep our own house in order,
whenever it is possible, rather than expect CBAT and other observers or
institutions to tidy up after us.

-- 
Denis Buczynski

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