Andicam I band image of Nova LMC 2005 on 3/11/06

Andicam Photometry of Nova LMC 2005 through 2006 May 24

Click to the the spectral development of the nova
• The blue spectrum, Jan 9 - March 25 2009
• the Hα region in January 2006
• Hγ and Hδ in January 2006

The photometry shown above is differential, with respect to 18 stars in the field. I have yet to calibrate the field.

SMARTS was closed 12/23-1/09, hence a lack of data during that interval.

The movies are interpolated spectra from the 1.5m, from Jan 10 through Feb 6 2006. The fluxes are scaled to the photometry. The dropouts in the blue movie longward in 4500A are due to a grating shift; on those nights we moved shorter we get the Ca II and K lines. We also have some low dispersion spectra covering the 3500-5300A region.

The nova is clearly a slow nova, with lot of structure in its light curve. A rapid fading began about January 15, only to be interrupted by a brief recovery about 3 weeks later.The optical fading has continued; the star is now down about 3 mag from its peak at B and V, and about 2.5 mag at R, I, and J. Meanwhile, it seems a dust shell formed, with the H and K fluxes peaking about March 10. The system has since faded about 0.5 mag at K

Most recent low dispersion spectra of the nova

If it is a DQ Her-type, we can expect the bottom to drop out any day now. Otherwise it may just linger and fade slowly and erratically.

There was a clear P Cygni wind absorption signature through March 17; thereafter the spectrum becomes more nebular.

N LMC 2005 is currently behind the Sun.