POSSIBLE NOVA IN M81

Zhijian Xu and Xing Gao report the discovery of a possible nova in M81. The transient is approximately Mag. 21.2 on severl 300-s survey images (limiting mag about 21.7) taken by Xing Gao in Xingming Observatory Sky Survey(C42) around Mar. 20.70358 UT using a unfiltered CCD (+ 0.6-m f/8 Ritchey-Chretien telescope). The transient approximately located at R.A.=09h55m13.40s +69d00’47”.8 (equinox 2000.0). Which is about 106.0″ west and 187.2″ south of the center of the M81. Nothing is visible at this position on archival images taken on Mar 12.60063 (limiting mag 21.5).
NET UCAC-4
XMr3ZX KC2018 03 20.70358 09 55 13.40 +69 00 47.8 21.2 V C42.
All images can be seen from: http://www.xjltp.com/XOSS/XMr3ZX/XMr3ZX.htm.
Xingming Observatory(C42) – NEXT, Mt. Nanshan, 0.6-m f/8 Ritchey-Chretien telescope and CCD.

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