[Merlin66 (Ken)]

AAVSO report mag 5 Nova discovered by Rob McNaught on the 15th July:

AAVSO Forum threads (scroll to the bottom of a thread for latest posts):
- Time Sensitive Alerts: https://www.aavso.org/mgab-v207-mag-53-likely-nova-eruption-reticulum-1
- Novae: https://www.aavso.org/mgab-v207-mag-53-likely-nova-eruption-reticulum-0
- Cataclysmic Variables: https://www.aavso.org/mgab-v207-mag-53-likely-nova-eruption-reticulum

Please subscribe to these threads if you are observing this nova so you can be updated as to its behavior and any observing campaigns on it. Join in the discussion or ask questions there!

Event: Nova in Reticulum: MGAB-V207 = N Ret 2020

Discovered by: Robert H. McNaught (Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia) (via CBET 4811)

Discovery magnitude: unfiltered CCD magnitude 5 (using Canon 6D camera and 8-mm f/2.8 lens) (via CBET 4811)

Discovery date: 2020 July 15.590 UT (via CBET 4811)

Coordinates (2000.0): R.A. 03 58 29.55 Decl. -54 46 41.2 (from VSX page for MGAB-V207)

Spectra: E. Aydi et al. (ATel #13867) report that high-resolution spectroscopy obtained on 2020 Jul. 16.17 UT using the High Resolution Spectrograph on the South African Large Telescope (SALT) indicate the object is a classical nova, likely after optical peak.

Also, R. Kaufman (Bright, VIC, Australia) reports a low-resolution spectrum obtained by him on 2020 Jul. 16 UT indicates the object to be a classical nova.

Observing recommendations: Observations of all types (visual, PEP, CCD, DSLR, spectroscopy) and multiple bands as instrumentation permits are strongly encouraged as this bright nova evolves.