Supernova Alert!

[Mikezoom]

http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/11/supernova-alert/

Might see if I can have a try at this if the cloud clears.

Mike.

[ngcles]

Hi All,

Before anyone gets toooooo excited by the the word supernova, this is very unlikely to be a supernova event, almost certainly a plain old nova and is not likely to brighten much more than its present magnitude of 7.8. The use of the word supernova in the Universe today release is not warranted.

Best,

Les D
Contributing Editor
AS&T

[ngcles]

Hi All,

Confirmation that it is just an "ordinary" nova from the CBET circular:

Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
> INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION
> M.S. 18, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA 02138,
> U.S.A.
> IAUSUBS@CFA.HARVARD.EDU or FAX 617-495-7231 (subscriptions)
> CBAT@CFA.HARVARD.EDU (science)
> URL http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/iau/cbat.html
>
>
> V2491 CYGNI
> K. Ayani, Bisei Astronomical Observatory (BAO); and K. Matsumoto,
> Osaka
> Kyoiku University, write that low-resolution spectra (range 400-800 nm;
> resolution 0.5 nm at H-alpha) of V2491 Cyg (cf. IAUC 8934), obtained with
> the
> BAO 1.01-m telescope on Apr. 11.72 UT, show prominent broad Balmer
> emission
> lines, which indicate that the object is a nova in its early phase of
> outburst. Fe II emission may be present. The H-alpha line has a FWHM of
> 4500 km/s and an equivalent width of about 36 nm.
>
>
> NOTE: These 'Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams' are sometimes
> superseded by text appearing later in the printed IAU Circulars.
>
> (C) Copyright 2008 CBAT
> 2008 April 11 (CBET 1334) Daniel W. E.
> Green

Best,

Les D
Contributing Editor
A&T