Electronic Telegram No. 215
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)
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NOVA CENTAURI 2005
     W. Liller, Vina del Mar, Chile, reports his discovery of
an apparent nova (mag approximately 8.5) on two Technical Pan
photographs taken on Sept. 1.031 UT with an 85-mm camera lens
and an orange filter.  The new object is located at R.A. =
13h20m.8, Decl. = -62o37' (equinox 2000.0); nothing was seen
at this location brighter than mag 11.0 on Aug. 12.050.  CCD
photometry on Sept. 4.028 yielded V = 8.83.  On Sept. 4.050,
Liller obtained a red CCD spectrum (dispersion at H_alpha =
0.32 nm/pixel) with an objective grating and a 0.20-m Schmidt
camera.  The spectrum shows a moderately strong H_alpha emission
line having a peak approximately twice the brightness of the
neighboring continuum; its FWHM is 840 +/- 50 km/s.  No P-Cyg
absorption is discernible.  The close similarity of this spectrum
with those of V5114 Sgr (N Sgr 2004) and V5116 Sgr (N Sgr 2005 No.
2) makes it virtually certain that the new object is indeed a
classical nova.  Visual magnitude estimates:  Sept. 3.91, 9.7
(J. G. de S. Aguiar, Monte Mor, Brazil); 3.92, 10.0 (A. Amorim,
Florianopolis, Brazil).


NOTE: These 'Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams' are sometimes
      superseded by text appearing later in the formal IAU Circulars.

                         (C) Copyright 2005 CBAT
2005 September 4                 (CBET 215)               Daniel W. E. Green