**************************************************************** Possible Nova in Sco Discovered by Katsumi Haseda -- Spectroscopy and Photometry -- **************************************************************** Upon the previous announcement, W. Liller (Chile) succeeded in taking a low-resolution object prism spectroscopy. The spectrum shows a strong red emission line, presumably H-alpha, suggesting that the object is indeed a nova. Liller also notes the possible presence of weak H-beta emission, suggesting that the object suffers from interstellar reddening. Kesao Takamizawa (Nagano, Japan) reports the prediscovery detection on 2001 May 12.643 UT at photographic magnitude 10.2. The object was fainter than 12.9 on April 26.737 (Takamizawa). Hitoshi Yamaoka (Kyushu University) notes that there is a faint star on DSS1 (r=17.5, b=20) close to the reported position. Erwin van Ballegoij (Aruba, Dutch Carribean) visually observed the object at 11.1 on June 21.185 UT. The following VSNET page is available: http://vsnet.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet/Novae/nsco01.html --- We have been undertaking on photometric campaigns on several super- outbursting dwarf novae and peculiar variable stars. News and call for observations on these objects will be issued on our regular weekly "News from VSNET" bulletins. Those who immediately need information should make an access to the VSNET website, and click on VSNET campaign list. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- VSNET (Variable Star Network) is an international variable star observing network, covering various areas of novae, supernovae, cataclysmic variables (CVs), X-ray transients, and other classical eruptive, pulsating, and eclipsing variables. VSNET is one of invited contributing organizations to the SkyPub AstroAlert system. VSNET Home Page: http://vsnet.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet/ CCD observations of such targets are a relatively easy task for a 20-40cm telescope; simply take as many CCD frames (with exposure times 10-30 sec) as possible, spanning several hours per night. The only requirements are the weather and your patience! If you need more help on the observing technique, please feel free to ask on the vsnet-campaign list. We would sincerely appreciate volunteers who would join the VSNET Collaboration team to study the wonders of these exotic variable stars. To join the VSNET campaign collaborative list, send an e-mail to vsnet-adm@kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp (VSNET administrator) with a line "SUBSCRIBE vsnet-campaign." or your comment to join the collaboration team. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------