April 10, 2012: Dr. Michael Rupen (National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Socorro, NM) has informed us that he and his colleagues of the EVLA (Expanded Very Large Array) Nova Team are carrying out a multiwavelength campaign on the Fe II-type nova Nova Oph 2012 [V2676 Oph]. They have triggered observations with Swift, JVLA (Jansky Very Large Array), SMA (Submillimeter Array), and high-resolution optical spectroscopy. He is requesting AAVSO observations in support.
Dr Rupin writes: "We had the first epoch of SMA and spectroscopy April 9; the first two Swift observations are scheduled for April 13 and April 27 UT; we're hoping for the first VLA observation later this week. It would be very useful to have fairly regular multi-color photometry to follow the overall evolution of the source, as well as spectroscopy to track the velocity of the ejecta. Spectroscopy on the dates of the Swift observations April 13 and April 27 UT) would be particularly valuable, allowing us to compare the temperature of the X-rays with that which could be produced either within the ejecta, or between the ejecta and any surrounding, relatively stationary circumbinary material."
The EVLA Nova Team (https://safe.nrao.edu/evla/nova/index.shtml) aims at consistent, high-quality radio, optical, mm, and X-ray coverage of nearby novae.
The Fe II-type nova Nova Oph 2012 (PNV J17260708-2551454) was announced on the IAU CBAT TOCP page (http://www.cbat.eps.harvard.edu/unconf/tocp.html), in AAVSO Special Notice #273 (Waagen, http://www.aavso.org/aavso-special-notice-273), and IAU CBET 3072 (Daniel W. E. Green, Ed.). Over 650 observations in the AAVSO International Database indicate that N Oph 2012, discovered at unfiltered magnitude 12.1, reached V=10.8 on April 7 and is currently at V=11.8.
Please continue your coverage of this current nova. Multicolor photometry is requested, and visual observations are also encouraged. If you have spectroscopy capabilities, please observe this nova, particularly on the Swift dates given above.
Coordinates: 17 26 07.01 -25 51 42.69 (J2000.0)
Observations may be accessed from the AAVSO website: viewed (http://www.aavso.org/ql), plotted (http://www.aavso.org/lcg), or downloaded (http://www.aavso.org/data-download).
Charts may be plotted using the AAVSO Variable Star Plotter (VSP) at http://www.aavso.org/vsp.
Until an official name is announced, please report observations to the AAVSO International Database as PNV J17260708-2551454 or NOVA OPH 2012.
This AAVSO Alert Notice was compiled by Elizabeth O. Waagen.
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