Mag 5 Nova!!!!!!

[Merlin66]

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 (https://aavso.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3ad9dedd265a0351968ebddee&id=18e3394c15&e=4c8152a51d)
- Novae: https://www.aavso.org/mgab-v207-mag-53-likely-nova-eruption-reticulum-0 (https://aavso.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3ad9dedd265a0351968ebddee&id=ca7f3721e6&e=4c8152a51d)
- Cataclysmic Variables: https://www.aavso.org/mgab-v207-mag-53-likely-nova-eruption-reticulum (https://aavso.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3ad9dedd265a0351968ebddee&id=8d0016382d&e=4c8152a51d)
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 (https://aavso.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3ad9dedd265a0351968ebddee&id=43b48ce5b4&e=4c8152a51d))
Spectra: E. Aydi et al. (ATel #13867 (https://aavso.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3ad9dedd265a0351968ebddee&id=62bb53b5a6&e=4c8152a51d)) 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.

[Rob_K]

Saw it last night, easy naked-eye in dark skies, est vis mag 5.0 (1:00 am 17 July 2020 AEST). Great work by Rob McNaught, congratulations to him! :thumbsup: It's his fourth, and 33 years after his third (Nova Sgr 1987)!

Apparently it's now fading off - peak magnitude appears to have been 3.7 on 11 July, estimated from pre-discovery images. Attached are a spectrum and a few shots I took of the nova last night.

Cheers -

[Merlin66]

Yes, Congratulations to Rob!
Also, they recognise your early spectral image -well done!
An interesting target for the next few days/ weeks.

[Rob_K]

Thanks Ken, also pleased that it is in the subsequent CBET (4812).

There's another target as well - yep, another nova! This one's in Sagittarius and a lot fainter, discovered at 9.9 C. Its temporary designation is PNV J17580848-3005376 and it has just been spectroscopically confirmed as an Fe II type classical nova. Congratulations to Shigehisa Fujikawa on his discovery!

http://www.cbat.eps.harvard.edu/unconf/followups/J17580848-3005376.html
http://www.astronomerstelegram.org/?read=13872

Attached is a shot I took tonight.

Cheers -