AT 2023prq: A Classical Nova in the Halo of the Andromeda Galaxy

Abstract

The classical nova, AT 2023prq, was discovered on 2023 August 15 and is located at a distance of 46 kpc from the Andromeda galaxy (M31). Here we report photometry and spectroscopy of the nova. The “very fast” ( t 2 , r ′ ∼ 3.4 days) and low luminosity ( M r ′ ∼ − 7.6 ) nature of the transient along with the helium in its spectra would indicate that AT 2023prq is a “faint-and-fast” He/N nova. Additionally, at such a large distance from the center of M31, AT 2023prq is a member of the halo nova population.