Nova in Sagittarius

A fairly bright nova has been discovered by Japanese observers Koichi Nishiyama (from Kurume) and Fujio Kabashima (Miyaki). They discovered it on July 7, 2012, using a 105-mm f/4 camera lens and CCD, describing the nova as magnitude 7.8. It is located in Sagittarius roughly between the “lid” and “spout” of the Teapot stars, at right ascension 18^h 20.5^m, declination -27° 44′ (equinox 2000.0). A number of other observers in Japan confirmed the sighting.

The location of the Nova Credit: AAVSO

The discovery was announced on CBET 3166, issued July 7th by the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This circular assigns the star the official designations Nova Sagittarii 2012 No. 4 and also PNV J18202726-2744263. The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) is requesting observations of this nova. The AAVSO collects magnitude determinations by skilled observers to aid in the study of novae and other variable stars, and their site offers guidance on the techniques involved.