==================================================================== Bright (5-6 mag) likely nova in Sagittarius ==================================================================== Katsumi Haseda (Aichi Japan) has discovered a bright new object (most likely a nova) in Sagittarius. The details are as follows: [All messages are from vsnet-discovery-nova messages.] Unconfirmed bright object(?) in Sgr, please confirm! Katsumi Haseda (Aichi Japan) has reported possible detection of a potentially bright object (mag about 5.0) at an approximate position 190108.5 -220045 (J2000.0). Since the stellar image was recorded on a single film taken on 2002 Sep. 20.431 UT, the existence or reality of the object has not been confirmed. Although we don't usually report a potential discovery alert at such an early stage, I relay this report because the exceptional brightness clearly requires emergent confirmation. Could someone check this field? --- New object confirmed at position 19 01 09.34 -22 00 05.5 at 09/21/2002 1:35 UT. Position based on plate solution with 20 GSC 1.1 stars. V magnitude greater than 6.3 based on magnitudes in TheSky software. My 20 second exposure was in saturation. I compared two V band images to DSS1.V.SERC V band epoch 1987.59 image. The new object is stellar in appearance and is not present on the DSS1 image. I will continue with photometry and spectrophotometry and report observations when they are reduced. Regards, Doug West --- I confirmed visually, mag. 6.1 on Sep 21.145 at position 19 01 09 (+/- 1s) -22 00 05 (+/- 5") using 80 mm refractor f/5 with setting circles. Comp stars SAO 185584 & 187519 & 187422. Regards Jaime Garcia (GAJ) Argentina --- Additional photometry of the object at 19 01 09.38 -22 00 05.9 error +/- 0.75". This position was measured from a 5 second exposure image. The plate solution used 20 GSC 1.1 stars. B=6.44 +/-0.6, V<6.0 (the 5 second exposure was in saturation). Comparison stars: SAO 187580 B=10.34 V=9.21 and SAO 187591 B=8.98 V=8.75. The images were taken under clear skies with a full moon. I will reduce the low-resolution spectroscopy in the morning and post it on my web page. Regards, Doug West Mulvane, KS USA http://hometown.aol.com/dwest61506/index.html --- Regards, Taichi Kato VSNET Collaboration team ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------