Starting at 06:00 UT on 2024 September 6, a spectrum was obtained at the position of the fast optical transient AT2024uaq (Astronote #2024-242) using GMOS-N at Gemini Observatory under the target-of-opportunity program GN-2024B-Q-128. The observation was obtained using the R400 grating and central wavelengths of 710 nm and 720 nm. The data was reduced using the DRAGONS data reduction package.
Two traces are visible close to the transient position. For the fainter trace, we identify Hα, [N II], and [S II] emission lines, corresponding to z = 0.384. For the brighter trace, we identify strong emission features consistent with Hα and Hβ at z = 0. The coordinates of the brighter trace are closer to the ZTF transient position: 0.1” separation, as opposed to 2” for the fainter trace.
Therefore, we conclude that AT2024uaq was likely Galactic in origin.
We thank the Gemini Observatory staff for assistance in rapidly obtaining these observations.
| Catalog | Name | Reported RA | Reported DEC | Reported Obj-Type | Reported Redshift | Host Name | Host Redshift | Remarks | TNS RA | TNS DEC | TNS Obj-Type | TNS Redshift |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TNS | 2024uaq | 21:44:29.644 | +44:03:10.96 | PS1 160863261240794177 | 21:44:29.644 | +44:03:10.96 |