Observation by Mike Harlow: Nova Tau 2026: Spectrum

Uploaded by

Mike Harlow

Observer

Mike Harlow

Observed

2026 Aug 14 - 02:20

Uploaded

2026 Aug 14 - 07:06

Objects

Spectrum
Nova Tau 2026

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Constellation

Taurus

Field centre

RA: 05^h20^m
Dec: +23°42'
Position angle: -2°16'

Field size

1°02' × 0°57'

Equipment

12inch F/3.6 Astrograph
ASI6200MM CMOS camera, no filter
20cm diameter, 9 degree crown glass prism

Exposure

24 x 10 seconds

Location

Ipswich, UK

Target name

Nova Tau 2026

Title

Nova Tau 2026: Spectrum

About this image

Switched from the 3 degree to the 9 degree objective prism to boost the resolution of the spectrum. Much better result than a few days ago showing hydrogen emission lines. But still not much else...

Field ~62 x 57 arc minutes with north up closely matching the field of the AAVSO chart. Nova has H alpha and beta emission lines identified.

Files associated with this observation

N_Tau_2026_spectrum_20260814_crop.jpg (744.2 kB)

Like this image

James Weightman, Jeremy Shears, Andy Wilson, Callum Potter, Robin Leadbeater, David Basey, Dominic Ford

Comments

Robin Leadbeater, 2026 Aug 15 - 12:42 UTC

Comparing with my spectrum on the night of 20260812, I suspect many lines may have changed from net absorption to net emission between the two dates

Mike Harlow

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