2003IAUC.8234....1S

G. J. Schwarz, Steward Observatory; R. M. Wagner, LBT Observatory; S. Starrfield, Arizona State University; and P. Szkody, University of Washington, report that spectroscopy of the possible nova reported on IAUC 8195, with the 6.5-m MMT (range 400-900 nm; resolution 0.8 nm) on Sept. 13.44 UT, confirms the object to be a classical nova in its early decline phase. The spectra exhibit strong emission lines of the Balmer series of hydrogen; numerous Fe II blends (multiplets 37, 38, 42, 48, 49, and 74); O I at 777.4 and 844.6 nm; and the Ca II infrared triplet at 854.2, 866.2, and 849.8 nm that is typical of 'Fe II'-class novae after maximum light. The equivalent width of H_alpha emission is 40 nm, and it exhibits a pronounced castellated structure with a FWZI of almost 5400 km/s.