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Re: (meteorobs) BRIGHT NOVA SIGHTED IN AQUILA!
Joe and all others,
Last night my son and I were out looking for satellites and star hopping with
a low power spotting scope between 6:00 - 7:30 (EST). Aquila is one of my
son's favourites so he pays close attention. Alex pointed out 2 'stars' that
he wasn't familiar with....I think now that one of them was the supernova.
We did check our astronomy software for one of his sightings near 12 Aquilae
and have even sent off an inquiry to a SHALLOW member about it. But like a
good mother I told him that the 'star' north of Delta Aquilae must be one he
wasn't familiar with....we didn't check the astronomy software for it. I'm
sure Alex will be delighted when he gets home from school and I tell him
about this. What 16 year old wouldn't be thrilled to tell his mother, "see,
I_told_you a star shouldn't be there". :)
Josie
Petersburg, VA
In a message dated 12/02/99 1:56:46 AM Eastern Standard Time,
Skywayinc@aol.com writes:
> I have just received word that a nova -- an exploding star -- has suddenly
> flared to naked-eye brightness in the constellation of Aquila (the Eagle).
> According to the Central Bureau of Astronomical Telegrams (IAU
> Circ. 7323 - http://cfa-www.harvarddot edu/iau/cbat.html) Alfredo
> Pereira (AAVSO member, active observer, and a visual nova searcher) at
> Cabo da Roca, Portugal discovered this bright nova during his visual
> search in Aquila on Dec. 1.785 UT (18h 50m UT or 1:50 p.m. EST) at about
> magnitude 6.0.
>
> Precise position of Nova Aql 1999, No. 2 reported by D. Di Cicco
> (Sudbury, MA) is:
>
> R.A. = 19h 23m 05s.38
> Decl.= +04 57' 20".1 (Equinox 2000.0)
>
> This position places the nova almost directly in the center of the
> constellation Aquila, less than 2 degrees north of the star Delta Aquilae
> (magnitude 3.36).
>
> Visual observations since discovery range from magnitude 5.8 to 5.1,
> suggesting that the nova may be in the process of brightning rapidly.
> Observers are urged to look for this new object immediately after
nightfall
> on Thursday. It should be favorably placed, approximately 40 degrees up
in
> the southwest sky about an hour after sundown . . . not setting until
> roughly
> three hours later.
>
> -- joe rao
>
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