Optical and X-ray Observations of M31N 2007-12b: An Extragalactic Recurrent Nova with a Detected Progenitor?

We report combined optical and X-ray observations of nova M31N 2007-12b. Optical spectroscopy obtained 5 days after the 2007 December outburst shows evidence of very high ejection velocities (FWHM H$\alpha \simeq 4500$ km s$^{-1}$). In addition, Swift X-ray data show that M31N 2007-12b is associated with a Super-Soft Source (SSS) which appeared between 21 and 35 days post-outburst and turned off between then and day 169. Our analysis implies that $M_{\rm WD} \ga 1.3 $M$_{\odot}$ in this system. The optical light curve, spectrum and X-ray behaviour are consistent with those of a recurrent nova. Hubble Space Telescope observations of the pre-outburst location of M31N 2007-12b reveal the prese…