2009IAUC.9098....1Y

H. Yamaoka, Kyushu University, reports the discovery by K. Itagaki (Yamagata, Japan) of a possible nova (mag 8.1) on Nov. 25.536 UT with his 0.21-m patrol system; a confirming image by Itagaki on Nov. 25.545 (0.60-m reflector) yields position R.A. = 4h47m54s.21, Decl. = -10o10'43".1 (equinox 2000.0), who notes a faint (mag about 15) object near this position on his archival patrol images (Yamaoka adds that this blue star has USNO-B1.0 position end figures 54s.19, 42".9). E. Guido and G. Sostero measure CCD mag about 8.2 and position end figures 54s.12, 43".1 on Nov. 26.36 (remotely using a 0.25-m reflector near Mayhill, NM, U.S.A.). H. Maehara, Kwasan Observatory, Kyoto University, has reported several sets of spectroscopic observations made during Nov. 26.5-26.6 (by Maehara; M. Fujii, Okayama; by A. Arai and M. Isogai, Kyoto Sangyo University; and by K. Imamura, Okayama University of Science) that show broad Balmer emission (FWHM of H_alpha about 3200-3400 km/s), together with He I, N II, N III, Na I D, O I, and Mg II emission, concluding that the variable appears to be a nova of the He/N class. R. J. Rudy, T. R. Prater, and R. W. Russell, The Aerospace Corporation; R. C. Puetter, University of California at San Diego; and R. B. Perry, NASA, report on 0.9- to 2.5-micron spectroscopy of the nova, obtained on Nov. 26.4 UT using the Lick Observatory 3-m Shane reflector, which shows very strong, broad emission lines (FWHM = 4000 km/s) with very rapid spectral development, suggesting that this object may be a nova of the He/N type. Additional details appear on CBETs 2050, 2053, and 2055. E. V. Kazarovets reports that the GCVS team has assigned the designation KT Eri to this nova.