[vsnet-alert 21793] PNV J13532700-6725110: possible nova (9.1 mag) in Circinus (near the border with Musca)

Sat Jan 20 04:38:15 JST 2018

PNV J13532700-6725110  (N:)

RA 13h53m27.00s, DEC -67°25'11.0" (J2000.0)
2018 Jan. 19.708 UT, 9.1 mag (CCD, unfiltered)
Discoverer: John Seach (Chatsworth Island, NSW, Australia)

"2018 01 19.708 UT
Possible new nova in Circinus. Discovered by John Seach, Chatsworth
Island, NSW, Australia. DSLR with 50 mm f/1.2 lens. Object visible
on 3 images. No object identified at position on 3 images taken
with same instrument on Jan 18.7 UT. No minor planet or variable
star at position. No object on DSS2-red."

Follow-up reports:
http://www.cbat.eps.harvard.edu/unconf/followups/J13532700-6725110.html

A Gaia DR1 source (position end figures 26.92s, 10.47"; G= 18.10 mag)
is located only 0.7" from the reported position of the transient.
Further designations: USNO-A2.0 0225-18431574 (B= 19.2, R= 17.7 mag),
USNO-B1.0 0225-0595724, 2MASS J13532702-6725105, NOMAD1 0225-0600516,
XPM 045-0587677. The nearest GALEX source (GALEX J135327.5-672500)
is 11" away.
According to ASAS-SN Sky Patrol observations (Shappee et al.
2014ApJ...788...48S and Kochanek et al. 2017PASP..129j4502K) this
eruption began very recently: 2018 Jan. 18.341 UT, V= 15.75 mag
(probably contaminated by nearby stars); 19.339, 9.00.
https://asas-sn.osu.edu/light_curves/c57f176f-f41b-4c47-be49-581739797b28

Spectroscopy and precise astrometry are urgently required.

Clear skies,
Patrick