2002
Feb 27: asked by The
Astronomer to investigate the spectrum of star TAQ2002/009 in Gemini
at RA 07h 15m 07.989s Dec. +21d 35' 22.13" (2000) discovered by Mike Collins
on 2002 January 15.9UT and absent from Megastar GSC. Collins quotes
"I have subsequently checked my film archive and can see the suspect
on only six other epochs since 1989".
Using a and d
Gem for comparison, the star has a noticeably weak spectrum [compared to
equally bright field stars nearby] is possibly a carbon-type star
peaking in far red [665nm + 730nm] and extending into IR. There is a weak
peak in visible ~520nm but no emission lines - characteristic of a nova. 
2002 Jan 28 - a small selection of the numerous variable stars discovered photographically by Mike Collins over 12 years during his Nova Search Programme. This sample in Taurus/Perseus north of the Hyades. All the stars appear to have M-type spectra radiating in near IR [as may be deduced by their IRAS designation] with only a tiny part [left of Ha] in the visible to register on the retina.
text & images copyright - Maurice Gavin 2002