I took wide field DSLR images of PNV J17261813-3809354, now Nova Sco 2024 or V1723 Sco, on February 11, 12, 15, and 17 at around 5:30am Adelaide time (ACDT) with subsequent calibration and photometry yielding observations submitted to the AAVSO International Database (AID).
The nova is marked on this image (click to expand):
Trailing is becoming apparent on this 10 second exposure, visual band image (calibrated and median stacked from a subset of images), as is the deliberate defocussing to spread the light over multiple elements of the DSLR’s Bayer array.
Here is the light curve as of February 17:
After around 9 days, there are only 116 visual band observations from observers around the world, 49 from DSLRs, 27 from some other imager, and 40 from visual observing (binoculars, telescope).
The nova seems to have peaked at around magnitude 6.8 or 6.9 and as of the time of writing (February 17) is dimmer than magnitude 8 and is steadily declining.
My 4 visual band DSLR observations are shown in purple, with the one under the cross hairs at magnitude 8.1 in close agreement re: time and magnitude with a visual observation made by Andrew Pearce (the discoverer). I have also submitted blue and red band observations, not shown above.
My imaging gear is fairly minimal, as shown below:
(USB connection to my dad’s old Mac)
(Mac in dark at right)
You can’t choose the time or sky conditions. Here are hand-held iPhone 13 images of the some of the pre-dawn skies, before and after observation on Feb 15 and Feb 11:
Scorpius to upper left of tree at right
(Venus rising)
(Venus rising)
