POSSIBLE NOVA IN M31
Mi Zhang and Xing Gao, report the discovery of a possible nova (mag approximately 18.2) on severl 300-s survey images (limiting mag about 20.5) taken by Xing Gao in Xingming Observatory Sky Survey(C42) around Dec. 17.55177 UT using a unfiltered CCD ( + 0.6-m f/8 Ritchey-Chretien telescope ). The transient approximately located at R.A.=00h42m42.41s +41d19’41”.1 (equinox 2000.0). Which is about 21.5″ west and 212.6″ north of the center of the NGC224(M31). Nothing is visible at this position on archival images taken on Dec. 16.57347 UT(limiting mag 20.0).
NET UCAC-4
XM05MZ C2018 12 17.55177 00 42 42.41 +41 19 41.1 18.2V C42
All images can be seen from: http://www.xjltp.com/XOSS/XM05MZ/XM05MZ.htm
C42,Xingming Observatory – NEXT, Mt. Nanshan. Observers M.Zhang,X.Gao,Measurers M.Zhang, 0.6-m f/8 Ritchey-Chretien telescope and CCD.