On April 22, 2021, students of Observational Astronomy and the Master of Astrophysics, Particle Physics and Cosmology proposed spectroscopic observation of a variable source in the practical astronomical observations carried out at the Centro Astronómico Hispano-Alemán .
The chosen source was discovered just a few days earlier by astronomers at the University of Sydney on 19 April 2021, called PGIR21fjn / AT2021kgk. The source can be clearly seen in the observations made by the students on the morning of April 23, being the bright spot in the centre of the image on the right.
The spectrum obtained with the measurements carried out during the night allowed the identification of the source as a Galactic Nova, a thermonuclear explosion of gas accumulated on the surface of a white dwarf.
Dra. Nadia Blagorodnova, one of the responsible teachers, explains: "Identifying the main emission lines of hydrogen, helium, nitrogen and oxygen is what leads us to identify a new Galactic Nova." And the student Judith Ardèvol adds and thanks "they have given us the opportunity to get in direct contact with the classification of a new Galactic nova, and also to appear in the list of authors".
The results of the observations, spectrum analysis and relevant conclusions have been published in the international journal Astronomers Telegram.
More information:
Confirmation of spectroscopic classification of PGIR21fjn/AT2021kgk as a classical nova
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We acknowledge and the participation of UB alumni:
Dr. Ferran Comerón (European Southern Observatory)
Dra. Nadia Blagorodnova (Radbound University)
Dr. David Galadí-Enríquez (Calar Alto Observatory)
