Nova Scuti 2019

I was starting to worry that this one might fade out of visibility before I got a look at it. Discovered by the ASASSN telescope complex on Oct 29 it reached a peak of mag 8.4. That's the third reasonably bright nova in Scutum in consecutive years, following those of 2017 which also reached mag 8.4 and 2018 which peaked at mag 10.6. Seen here at estimated mag 9.7 this evening. Star marked A is HIP 91105 at mag 5.1.



Finbarr.

Such a very small constellation!
And yet 3 novae have appeared within its borders in 3 consecutive years.
Scutum is amazing!

By the way, we have experienced so much heavy rain both on Saturday and today, Monday on the east coast.

When are we going to have a clear night!?

Best regards, Finbarr.

Aubrey.

Yes we've heard down here about the deluge you've been getting in the east Aubrey, quite unusual. Only been 4mm at my location since Saturday morning.

By the way at 7.02pm this evening I saw a flare like object brighten to around mag -1, on a line from Vega through Albireo in the direction towards Deneb. No flares or bright satellites were expected according to my usual sources, maybe someone knows the best app for identifying recent sightings. Some of the Iridium satellites can flare unexpectedly of course.

Finbarr,
Limerick.

Hello again, Finbarr.

I have just checked www.heavens-above.com and there was supposed to be an Iridium Flare at 18.35 or 18.36 somewhere between Capella and Ursa Minor. But maybe it was running late and, as a result, its path went a bit askew. The Iridium Flare was no. 97.
Of course, Limerick and Dublin times for these flares could be a bit different.

Clear skies,

Aubrey.

That flare doesn't seem to have been visible from my location Aubrey. I think it probably was an unidentified flare though; it's been a while since I've seen one now that the Iridium fleet is being de-orbited.

Finbarr.