[ngcles]

Hi All,

In the CBET 1445: 20080722 circular, L. A. G. Monard, Pretoria, South Africa, reports his discovery of an apparent supernova on unfiltered CCD images obtained on July 21.686 (at mag 15.1 +/- 0.2) and 22.696 (mag 15.0 +/- 0.1). The new object is located at R.A. = 9h45m48.16, Decl. = -31o10'44".9 (equinox 2000.0), which is 123" east and 34" north of the core of the galaxy NGC 2997. Nothing is visible at this position Monard's image taken on June 27.681 (limiting mag 18.5) or on Digitized Sky Survey images (limiting red mag 20.5).

There is no information on the type of the event as yet. Unconfirmed magnitude estimates place it at about mag 15 with no information on whether the object is brightening or fading (only discovered 2 days ago). Brightening or at a plateau is more likely though.

Sadly, NGC 2997 is sinking into the west currently setting just after 9pm so get out there early.

One to look for.

Best,

Les D