Nova near the center of the M31 galaxy
May 31, 2011
The Bulgarian Novae Search Group discovered another nova, second in a row for this year, in the M31 galaxy Andromeda. The discovery is made by using three R-images of the central region of the galaxy, obtained with the 2m RCC-telescope at NAO Rozhen in the morning of May 30th. The coordinates and brightness of the nova are derived immediately after the observations and published on the web-pages for novae in nearby galaxies.
The discovery and the estimation of the first results for the position and brightness of the nova are only the beginning of the study of these phenomena. The immediate report of the nova is important so different observers can continue the observations in order to get continuous light curve and spectrum. The object can be classified only after the following observations.
Fig. 1. Part of the R-images, obtained on January 30/31th (left) and on May 29/30th (right). The nova is marked (see large version of the image).
The nova discovered on May 29/30th is the 16th nova in M31 discovered by the Bulgarian team since the end of 2004.
Fig. 2. À combine BVR true color image of the M31 galaxy, observed by 50/70 cm Schmidt telescope at the NAO Rozhen. The novae discovered by the Bulgarian group to 2009 are marked by green circles and the last two novae for 2011 are marked by red circles (see large version of the image).
More information for the Bulgarian team study of the novae can be found in Publications of the team and in the web-pages for novae: M31 (Apparent) Novae Page, Extragalactic Novae Page and Astronomer's Telegram.
Dr Evgeni Ovcharov, Departament of Astronomy at the University of Sofia