POSSIBLE NOVA IN M81
Zhijian Xu and Xing Gao, report the discovery of a possible nova (mag approximately 20.0) on severl 200-s survey images (limiting mag about 21.5) taken by Xing Gao in Xingming Observatory Sky Survey(C42) around Feb. 19.74683 UT using a unfiltered CCD ( + 0.6-m f/8 Ritchey-Chretien telescope ). The transient approximately located at R.A.=09h54m52.36s +69d04’08”.5 (equinox 2000.0). Which is about 218.9″ west and 13.5″ north of the center of the M81. Nothing is visible at this position on archival images taken on Feb 16.72464 (limiting mag 21.5).
All images can be seen from: http://www.xjltp.com/XOSS/XMq9ZX/XMq9ZX.htm.
NET UCAC-4
XMq9ZX C2018 02 19.74683 09 54 52.36 +69 04 08.5 20.0 V C42
C42,Xingming Observatory – NEXT, Mt. Nanshan. Observers Z.Xu,X.Gao,Measurers Z.Xu, 0.6-m f/8 Ritchey-Chretien telescope and CCD.