Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

Fermi ToO 060600-1-1

A ToO observation to observe NOVA DEL 2013 at RA, Dec = 300.8792, 20.7681 (J2000) was approved at 2013-08-16 13:22:20 UTC.

The justification for the ToO is: Discovered Aug 14.584 UT at mag 6.3, Nova Del 2013 was rapidly identified as classical nova (ATEL 5279, 5282, 5288). The source is brightening by ~1 mag/day, (ie, rate similar to the historic Nova V1974 Cyg 1992 which reached a peak visual 4.3 mag 3-4 days after discovery) and has reached naked eye brightness, AAVSO mag 4.6-4.8 ~Aug 16.0; this is a once per decade event. With LAT detections of symbiotic nova V407 Cyg 2010, and the classical novae Nova Sco 2012 and Mon 2012 (the latter ONe type and former less understood), the origin and site of novae gamma-ray emission is still unclear. Optical spectra reveal possibly a CO type nova with massive envelope (>1E-5Msun) in the early optically thick fireball stage so g-rays may appear in 2-3 days.

The planned duration is 500.00 ks.

The autonomous request threshold during this ToO is LOW.

The ToO observation should begin between 2013-08-16 13:22:20 UTC and 2013-08-23 13:22:20 UTC.

The ToO observation was requested by DR. CHI (TEDDY) C CHEUNG.

The ToO commanding order was sent to the MOC at 2013-08-16 13:28:22 UTC.

The MOC acknowledged receipt of this order at 2013-08-16 13:29:23 UTC.

The MOC sent the ToO execution notification at 2013-08-16 14:09:03 UTC.

The ToO order status is Uplinked at or before: 2013-08-16 14:07:58 UT