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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1657      2001 Jly 18 20.14UT
Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise,  Basingstoke,
Hants, RG22 4PP,England.Telephone/FAX(01256)471074Int:+441256471074
INTERNET: GUY@TAHQ.DEMON.CO.UK             GMH at AST.STAR.RL.AC.UK
WORLD WIDE WEB                    http://www.demon.co.uk/astronomer
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NOVA CYGNI 2001
H. Sato, National Astronomical Observatory (NAO), Tokyo, reports
the discovery of a probable nova (mag 11.9) by Yuji Nakamura (Mie,
Japan) on a Tri-X film exposed on July 13.651 UT with a 200-mm f/4
lens.  The object was also present on CCD exposures taken with a
0.5-m reflector by H. Fukushima, NAO, resulting in the following
magnitudes:  July 16.515, V = 11.69; 16.533, I = 9.55.
H. Yamaoka, Kyushu University, forwards the following precise
position for the variable by K. Kadota from a CCD image taken on
July 17.735:  R.A. = 20h07m17s.94, Decl. = +36o04'37".2 (2000).
Yamaoka adds that no distinct object is visible on the Digital Sky
Survey within 3" of this position.
T. Iijima, Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, writes:
"Optical spectra (range 430-680 nm) were taken on July 17.9 UT
using a Boller and Chivens spectrograph mounted on the 1.22-m
telescope of the Osservatorio Astrofisico di Asiago.  The spectra
show broad emission lines of H I, Fe II, and probably Na I D and
N II.  Some prominent emission lines are accompanied by P-Cyg-type
absorption components.  The FWHM of the H-alpha emission component
is about 950 km/s, and a weak absorption component blueshifted by
about -1200 km/s is seen.  This object could be a classical nova
in the early decline stage from maximum light."
IAUC 7666

Maurice Gavin, Worcester Park has reported that he obtained a
spectrogram of this new object on July 18 at 02h08m36sUT with
the 0.30-m Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope + grating + MX9 CCD on
a 60 sec exposure. Unfortunately poor conditions meant that
a spectral analysis was inconclusive.

E.Schweitzer, AFOEV, relays that Jean Gunter observed the
presumed nova on July 17.8799UT at visual magnitude 12.3.

Guy M Hurst