2011CBET.2796....3W

F. M. Walter, Stony Brook University, reports that Brown's suspected nova is indeed an "Fe II"-type nova. Photometric and spectroscopic observations were obtained using the SMARTS/Cerro Tololo facilities, starting on Aug. 9 UT. Photometry with the 1.3-m telescope (+ ANDICAM dual-channel photometer) shows maximum light (V = 9.1, K = 6.2) on Aug. 13.02 (+1/-2 days). By Aug. 23.0, the nova had faded to V = 11.2 and K = 8.1. Optical spectroscopy with the 1.5-m telescope (+ RC specrograph) at a variety of resolutions between Aug. 9.0 and 22.0 shows the spectrum of a classical "Fe II"-type nova near maximum light. Near photometric maximum, on Aug. 12.0, the blue spectrum (range 365-540 nm; 0.43-nm resolution) showed strong emission, with P-Cyg absorption, in the Balmer series H-beta through H_11, Ca II K, and the Fe II multiplets 42 and 49. At this resolution, a single absorption component is seen, at a velocity of about -1100 km/s. On Aug. 13.98, H-alpha had an emission equivalent-width of -17.0 nm, with P-Cyg absorption at -1100 km/s. Low-dispersion (1.7-nm resolution) spectra covering the full optical range on Aug. 16.97 and 22.04 show strong emission from O I 630.0-, 777.4-, and 844.6-nm; C II 732.5-nm; and the Ca infrared triplet. As of Aug. 22.0, no helium lines were obvious, and no high-temperature lines had appeared.