March 21, 2018

Event: Nova in Carina - ASASSN-18fv

Discovered by: All Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN)

Discovery magnitude: brighter than magnitude 10 V (image was saturated)

Discovery date: 2018 March 20.32 UT

Coordinates (2000.0): R.A. 10 36 13.71 Decl. -59 35 55.1 (from VSX)

Spectra: Spectroscopy indicating that ASASSN-18fv is a classical nova brightening and in the optically thick (Fe curtain) phase was obtained by P. Luckas (ATel #11460) on 2018 March 21.49 UT with an Alpy600 spectrograph having a resolution of about 540 in the range 3800-7300A and using a Atik414 CCD.

Earlier spectroscopy by J. Strader et al. (ATel #11456) had not ruled out a galactic nova, but it was thought the transient might be a large outburst of a young stellar object.

Observing recommendations: Observations of all types (visual, CCD, DSLR, PEP, spectroscopy) and multiple bands as instrumentation permits are strongly encouraged as the nova evolves.

Observations reported to the AAVSO:

2018 March 15.34 UT, <17.0 V (ASAS-SN; ATel #11454);

20.32, >10 V (brighter than 10 V (saturated); ASAS-SN, discovery; ATel #11454);

21.44380, 6.5 (R. Stubbings, Tetoora Road, VIC, Australia);

21.47, 7.19 B (M. Brown et al., Hutton-Westfold Observatory, Monash University; ATel #11457);

21.47, 6.62 V (M. Brown et al.; ATel #11457);

21.47847, 7.4 (A. Pearce, Nedlands, W. Australia);

21.48819, 7.2 (Pearce);

21.54653, 7.1 (Pearce);

21.634, 5.9: (N. Brown, Two Rocks, W. Australia);

Charts: Charts with a comparison star sequence for ASASSN-18fv may be created using the AAVSO Variable Star Plotter (VSP). It is recommended that observers use the binocular chart option if creating an 'a' or 'b' scale chart because there are so many comp stars in the region. Also, we suggest that observers choose the option not to display other variables.

Sebastian Otero notes that a good binocular chart can be obtained using a 300 arc minutes field of view and limiting magnitude 9.0. He provides a link to such a chart:

https://www.aavso.org/apps/vsp/chart/?fov=297.0&star=ASASSN-18fv&orientation=visual&maglimit=9.0&resolution=150&binoc=on&north=down&east=right&type=chart&special=binoc

Submit observations: Please submit observations to the AAVSO International Database using the name ASASSN-18FV. Once a GCVS name is announced in an IAU Circular or CBET, please use that name.

AAVSO Forums: ASASSN-18fv is the topic of the AAVSO Time Sensitive Alerts forum thread https://www.aavso.org/bright-nova-carina and the AAVSO Novae forum thread https://www.aavso.org/asassn-18fv-probable-nova-10-mag-or-brighter-carina

Notes:

a. Unless otherwise noted and except for observations reported to the AAVSO, the information in this Alert Notice is taken from ATels #11454 (K. Z. Stanek et al.), #11456 (J. Strader et al.), #11457 (M. Brown et al.), and #11460 (P. Luckas).

b. Stanek et al. (ATel #11454) note that no outbursts or variability were seen at this location on earlier ASAS-SN images since coverage of the location began in February 2016.

c. Strader et al. (ATel#11456) report that the nova matches to within 0.1" a star in the Gaia DR1 catalog, which has J2000 position end figures 15.4138s 53.648". This star is also present in VPHAS+ DR2 catalog (Drew et al 2014, MNRAS, 440, 2036), with g~20.1 and r ~ 19.5. Magnitude calculations yield g=7.80, r=7.27, i=7.19, B=8.07, V=7.45 for the nova, and imply that the object has brightened by at least -12.3 mag in g.

Congratulations to the ASAS-SN team on this discovery!

This AAVSO Alert Notice was compiled by Elizabeth O. Waagen.

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ALERT NOTICE ARCHIVE AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

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Please support the AAVSO and its mission -- Join or donate today:

https://www.aavso.org/apps/donate/</s>Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2018 March 25

</s>Following the posting on the ATel #11454 about the discovery by All Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae survey () of a new transient source, Carina (ASAS-SN Designation: ASASSN-18fv) I performed some follow-up of this object through a 0.43-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD from MPC Code Q62 (iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring).On images taken on March 23.4, 2018 I can confirm the presence of an optical counterpart with R-filtered CCD magnitude +5.7 at coordinates:R.A. = 10 36 15.42, Decl.= -59 35 53.7(equinox 2000.0; UCAC-4 catalogue reference stars).Below you can see my confirmation image (single 20-sec exposure through a 0.43-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD), click on it for a bigger version:While below you can see a wide-field color image (90 second exposures) I obtained on March 23.4, 2018 through a Takahashi SKY90 Apochromatic Refractor f5/6 + Color CCD. In the imageis visible at the centre of the field together with part of the Carina Nebula (click on it for a bigger version):This transient was discovered using data from the quadruple 14-cm "Cassius" telescope in CTIO, Chile of ASAS-SN survey on images obtained on UT 2018-03-20.32 at V<10 2018-03-16.32="" also="" asas-sn="" asassn-18fv="" at="" detected="" detection="" no="" on="" possibly="" saturated="" starting="" ut="" v="">17.0) of this object in subtracted images taken on UT 2018-03-15.34 and before by the same survey. No previous outbursts or variability are detected at the position of ASASSN-18fv since ASAS-SN started observing this location in February 2016.According to Atel #11467 pre-discovery images have been identified on images obtained by, an array of 6-cm telescopes continuously monitoring 8000 square degrees of sky at 2-minute cadence from CTIO, Chile. The transient is not detected at UT 2018-03-16.0316 with an upper-limit of 11.9 +/- 0.1 mag (g'). Beginning at UT 2018-03-16.227, they detected a new source at 10.21 +/- 0.05 mag (g'). (click on the images below for a bigger version).An animation showing a comparison between my confirmation image and the archive POSS2/UKSTU Red plate (1991-02-10). Click here for a bigger version.Spectroscopy by P. Luckas (see ATel #11460 ) seems to indicate that ASASSN-18fv is a classical nova brightening and in the optically thick (Fe curtain) phase.But according to L. Izzo et al. ( ATel #11468 ): "The lack of a strong blue continuum, that is however typical of classical nova outburst, and the low expansion velocities suggest a possible different nature for this object. The presence of many narrow absorptions also suggests a similarity with other peculiar explosions, like the luminous red variable V4332 Sgr (Martini et al. 1999), the possible luminous red novae V838 Mon and V1309 Sco (Tylenda et al. 2011, Mason et al. 2010) or the 'helium-flash' explosion observed in the Sakurai object (Duerbeck and Benetti 1996)". Doubts about the nova nature of this object were expressed also by J. Strader et al. ( ATel #11456</s>How bright will Nova Carinae 2018 become? The new nova was discovered only last week. Although novas occur frequently throughout the universe, this nova, cataloged as ASASSN-18fv, is so unusually bright in the skies of Earth that it is now easily visible through binoculars in the southern hemisphere. Identified by the arrow, the nova occurs near the direction of the picturesque Carina Nebula.

A nova is typically caused by a thermonuclear explosion on the surface of a white dwarf star that is accreting matter from a binary companion, although details of this outburst are currently unknown. Both professional and amateur astronomers will be monitoring this unusual stellar outburst in the coming weeks, looking to see how Nova Carinae 2018 evolves, including whether it becomes bright enough to be visible to the unaided eye.</s>A very sick Lake Charles baby needs your help to stay alive. Nine-week-old Nova Hayes was born with a severe heart defect called "tetralogy of fallot."

Nova has already had a shunt put into his heart, but his frail body is too weak to make new blood cells.

The baby boy has had 111 blood transfusions to date, as he is treated at Children's Hospital in New Orleans. Nova's mother, Sara Lindsey, says it has been an extremely difficult few months for her family and the baby. "I am staying positive because I know he's going to come out of this," she said, "I see him and a lot of other babies and they're strong."

Nova's kidney and liver are failing and he needs healthy blood almost every day to get better. Because of the great need, a community blood drive is happening Saturday, August 3rd in Lake Charles to get blood for Nova. "People can come and donate blood and he will receive that blood," said Lindsey, "it doesn't matter what blood type you are, they take anybody's blood type and will just swap it out for his."

The blood drive for Nova Hayes is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Albertson's on Ryan Street, near K-Mart. You will see the big Lifeshare bus.

There is also an account set up at Jeff Davis Bank under the name "Nova Hayes" to help cover medical travel expenses back and forth from New Orleans. Casa Manana, where Lindsey works, is also accepting donations.</s>The only daily TV news package to focus on Nova Scotians and their stories</s>RCMP say they have located the body of a missing Nova Scotia man.

Ted Thomas, 44, was reported missing from his home on Lays Lake Road on March 21.

Police say his body was located in the Meaghers Grant, N.S. area on Friday.</s>Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) (TSX:BNS) is the third largest bank in Canada. The bank is expected to benefit from Latin America’s strong economic growth this year due to its strong presence in the region. Its investment in technology and digital banking should help improve its operating efficiency in the long-term. The bank also has an excellent track record of dividend growth in the past two decades. However, its shares are currently fairly valued. Given the recent market volatility, investors who like Bank of Nova Scotia’s growth opportunities in Latin America may want to patiently wait for a better entry point.

Reasons why we like Bank of Nova Scotia

Investment in Technology will be beneficial in the long term

Like all other major banks in Canada, Bank of Nova Scotia has also been investing heavily in technology and digital banking. While this investment will drag down its margin in the near term (e.g. expenses in its global banking division went up 3% year over year), it should help improve its operating efficiency in the long term. In addition, investment in digital banking actually helps to improve customer engagement.

Bank of Nova Scotia has a strong capital position. Its Common Equity Tier 1 (“CET1”) ratio at the end of Q1 2018 was 11.25%. Although its CET1 was slightly less than the ratio back in Q4 2017, its Q1 2018 Pro-Forma CET1 ratio is expected to be 11.75%. It is also worth noting that its CET1 ratio in Q1 2018 was higher than Royal Bank (RY), Bank of Montreal (BMO), and CIBC (CM)’s 11%. Investors should keep in mind that after its BBVA Chile acquisition closes (will likely be in a few quarters), its CET1 ratio will decline to about 11%.

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Bank of Nova Scotia has an excellent track record of dividend growth in the past few decades. As can be seen from the chart below, its quarterly dividend has increased significantly from about C$0.1 per share before 2000 to C$0.82 per share in March 2018. In the past year, the bank has increased its dividend twice for a combined dividend growth rate of near 8%.

Share price of Bank of Nova Scotia has appreciated by about 24% in the past three years. In the table below, we have calculated the PE ratios of Bank of Nova Scotia and its Canadian peers based on the consensus estimates of their 2018 and 2019 earnings. As the table below shows, Bank of Nova Scotia’s price to 2018 EPS ratio of 11.2x is only slightly above the average PE ratio of its Canadian peers. Its price to 2018 EPS ratio is also slightly above than its 5-year average of 11.1x. Similarly, Bank of Nova Scotia’s price to 2019 EPS ratio of 10.5x is also comparable to its Canadian peers. The table indicates that Bank of Nova Scotia is fairly valued.

Bank of Nova Scotia’s business in Latin America is expected to benefit from an improving outlook in the region. The bank has a strong capital position and continues to invest in technology and digital banking to improve its operating efficiency. It also has an excellent track record of dividend growth in the past two decades. Given the recent market volatility, investors who like Bank of Nova Scotia’s growth opportunities in Latin America may want to patiently wait for a good entry point to invest in the stock.

Note: This is not financial advice and that all financial investments carry risks. Investors are expected to seek financial advice from professionals before making any investment.

Thank you for reading. If you like my article, please scroll to the top of the article and click on "follow" to receive future updates.

I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.</s>Doctors Nova Scotia says their six recommendations aim to minimize the harm associated with cannabis use, which is the most commonly used illicit drug in the province.</s>Nova made his final spring tuneup Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk in three innings against Tampa Bay. He struck out three batters.

The righty, who will serve as Pittsburgh's Opening Day starter in Detroit on Thursday, pitched through knee pain for much of the season's second half last summer. He lost 15 pounds in the offseason to help improve his health. While Nova isn't a frontline option, he represents a decent streaming option at PNC Park, where he went 8-2 with a 2.80 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 74 innings last year.
Researchers publish observations of a possible nova (ASASSN-18fv) in the constellation Carina.