Spectroscopic follow-up of symbiotic binaries and novae

ANS Collaboration coordinates the research of professional astronomers with that of high-end amateurs pursuing professional-quality observations and data reduction on selected long-term programs (primarily novae, symbiotic stars and X-ray counterparts) as well as transients and targets-of-opportunity. Rather than on quantity, the emphasis is placed on quality, statistically-sound characterization of each term of the error budget and on the homogeneity of instruments and gathered data over decades-long campaigns.

As of Jan 1st 2022, ANS Collaboration data have been the base or contributed to 87 refereed papers and 130 ATel/CBET/IAUC. More information is provided in Munari et al. (2012BaltA..21...13M) and Munari & Moretti ( 2012BaltA..21...22M ).
All photometric observations are always multi-band (typically Landolt's BVRI, but also PanSTARRS u,z,Y bands are sometimes considered, for example in dust-forming novae) and invariably transformed via standard, densely mapped color-equations from the instantaneous to the standard photometric system.

Spectroscopic observations are carried out in both Echelle and low-resolution modes, primarily with Varese 0.84m and 0.60m , and Stroncone 0.50m telescopes, all equipped with Astrolights Multi-Mode spectrographs , and are strictly coordinated with parallel observations obtained with Asiago 1.82m + Echelle and 1.22m + B&C telescopes .

Data reduction is performed entirely in IRAF running on Linux platforms, following the recipes described in the book by Zwitter & Munari ( 2000iasd.book.....Z) "An introduction to analysis of single dispersion spectra with IRAF" and adapted to later IRAF versions, extended to the Echelle configuration, and including the support of Python routines.

ANS welcome collaboration with professional astronomers interested in any of its long-term targets or in seeking support to the study of specific objects/transients.