2009CBET.1816....1S

Guoyou Sun, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; and Xing Gao, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China, report the discovery of a possible nova (mag approximately 11.5) on several 60-s survey images (limiting mag about 13.5) taken by Gao in the course of the Xingming Nova Survey (Mt. Nanshan) on Feb. 23.947-23.963 UT with a Canon EOS 350D camera (+ 135-mm f/2 lens at ISO 800). Using a 10.7-cm f/2.8 camera lens, their images taken during Feb. 27.96-Mar. 6.97 yield the following position for the variable: R.A. = 17:45:05.42 ± 0s.12, Decl. = -20:03:22.0 ± 0".6 (equinox 2000.0); an image obtained on Apr. 28 by Sun with a 1-m f/8 reflector at Weihai yields position end figures 05s.40, 21".5. Nothing was visible at this location on images taken by the discoverers on 2008 Aug. 23, Sept. 4, 25, and Oct. 3 (limiting mag presumably also about 13.5); they report that nothing is visible at this position on Digitized Sky Survey images from 1950 June 19 (limiting red mag 20.0), 1980 Aug. 2 (limiting infrared mag 19.5), and 1991 Aug. 2 (limiting red mag 20.8). Additional available magnitudes from Sun and Gao for the variable: Feb. 27.960, 12.1; 28.968, 12.0; Mar. 2.963, 13.0; 3.964, 12.8; 6.968, 13.1; 22.949, 11.6; 26.950, 12.1; 27.947, 12.5; Apr. 28.837, 13.2. The discoverers have posted images at the following website URL: http://www.xjltp.com/XM09AA/XM09AA.htm.