Electronic Telegram No. 655 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 POSSIBLE NOVA IN M33 R. Quimby, P. Mondol, and F. Castro, University of Texas, report the discovery of an apparent nova on unfiltered CCD images taken on Sept. 28.20 (at mag about 17.3) and 29.20 UT (mag about 16.9) using the 0.45-m ROTSE-IIIb telescope at the McDonald Observatory. The apparent nova is located at R.A. = 1h33m18s.66, Decl. = +30o49'49".2 (equinox 2000.0), which is 6'56".0 west and 10'13".4 north of the center of M33. A co-addition of ROTSE-IIIb images taken between 2005 July and 2006 Jan. shows nothing at this position (limiting mag about 19.0). S. Nakano, Sumoto, Japan, reports the independent discovery of this apparent nova at mag 16.6 by K. Itagaki (Teppo-cho, Yamagata, Japan) on unfiltered CCD frames taken around Sept. 30.684 UT with a 0.60-m f/5.7 reflector. Itagaki provides position end figures 18s.74, 48".1 for the new object. Nothing is visible on a frame taken by Itagaki on Sept. 23.69 (limiting mag 18.5) or on his many past survey frames. NOTE: These 'Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams' are sometimes superseded by text appearing later in the printed IAU Circulars. (C) Copyright 2006 CBAT 2006 September 30 (CBET 655) Daniel W. E. Green