Electronic Telegram No. 31 Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION M.S. 18, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A. IAUSUBS@CFA.HARVARD.EDU or FAX 617-495-7231 (subscriptions) CBAT@CFA.HARVARD.EDU (science) URL http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/cbat.html NOVA OPHIUCHI 2003 M. Della Valle, Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory, Florence; and E. Mason, L. Pasquini, and J. Prichard, European Southern Observatory, report: "Preliminary analysis of a spectrum (range 380-900 nm, resolution 48000) of the variable star reported on CBET 29, obtained on July 18.2 UT at La Silla with the 2.2-m telescope (+ Fiber-fed Extended Range Optical Spectrograph), shows the new object to be a nova caught during its early decline. The spectrum is dominated by H_alpha, O I (mult. 1, 4; measured at 778.0 and 844.0 nm), and Ca II (mult. 2; measured at 850, 855, and 866 nm). H_alpha, H_beta, and Na I lines are flanked by multiple P-Cyg profiles whose minimum absorptions give maximum expansion velocities of about 1700, 1900, and 1500 km/s, respectively. Also prominent are emission lines due to Fe II (mult. 42, 48, 49, 74). In particular, we note that the 493-nm line (mult. 42) is as strong as H_beta. [O I] at 630 and 636.4 nm and He I at 667.8 nm are also detected. The equivalent widths of the Na D interstellar lines (0.085 and 0.07 nm) and Ca II H and K (0.04 and 0.06 nm) may suggest that this nova suffers form moderate absorption." R. H. McNaught and G. J. Garradd, Australian National University, report the following precise position from a CCD image obtained on July 18.53 UT with the Siding Spring 1.0-m f/8 reflector, when the nova appeared at R = 11.2: R.A. = 17h19m14s.086 +/- 0".08, Decl. = -27o22'35".21 +/- 0".09 (equinox 2000.0; mean of four UCAC1 reductions using 200 reference stars). Additional CCD magnitudes of the nova: July 18.114, V = 11.29 (W. Liller, Vina del Mar, Chile; through clouds); 18.115, V = 11.42 (J. D. West, Mulvane, KS); 18.116, B = 12.13 (Liller); 18.132, R_c = 10.60 (West); 18.136, [H_alpha] = 1.66 (West). NOTE: These 'Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams' are intended to be preliminary announcements of items that later appear in the formal IAU Circulars. Citations should normally be made to IAUCs rather than to CBETs. (C) Copyright 2003 CBAT 2003 July 19 (CBET 31) Daniel W. E. Green