[BAA-ebulletin 00821] Novae and Supernovae

[BAA electronic bulletins service]

It would seem there is a lot of excitement in some quarters at the
moment about 2 possible supernovae and a possible nova.

The latter, PNV J03093063+2638031, was discovered by Seiji Ueda
(Hokkaido, Japan) on 2014 Oct. 29.630 UT, at mag 11.0 in Aries on an
unfiltered CCD image.. It's position is R.A. 03h09m29.86s Decl.
+26°38'04.49" (J2000.0). The discovery image can be found at
http://meineko.sakura.ne.jp/ccd/PNV_J03093063+2638031.jpg.

It is well placed for observation in the later evening. However, the
latest spectroscopic observations show that it is probably not a nova
but a WZ Sge type star (a cataclysmic variable). Nonetheless,
observations would still be appreciated by the variable star section.

Now the possible supernovae. The first, PSN J12215757+0428185, was
discovered by Koichi Itagaki, Yamagata, Japan on 2014 Oct. 29.8376 UT,
at mag 13.6 again using an unfiltered CCD in M61. It's position is
R.A. 12h21m57.57s Decl. +04°28'18.5" (J2000.0). The discovery image
is at http://www.k-itagaki.jp/images/4303.jpg

The last object is MASTER OT J120451.50+265946.6 in NGC 4080 (see ATel
#6634): http://www.astronomerstelegram.org/?read=6634, a possible 13.9
mag supernova discovered on 2014-10-28.87454 UT. Its position is 12h
04m 51.50s +26d 59m 46.6s.

So, unfortunately, these two objects are almost impossible to observe
from the UK, rising just before dawn. However, for those with access
to remote telescopes (iTelescope, etc) you may stand a better chance.
However, once again, the VSS will be delighted to recieve your
observations.

Roger Pickard, VSS Director
roger.pickard at sky.com