A Comprehensive Hα Nova Survey of M81

A spatially complete Hα survey of M81 for novae was conducted continuously over a 5 month interval using the Calypso Telescope at Kitt Peak, AZ. A raw nova rate for M81 gives 23 yr–1 which is a lower limit. Monte Carlo simulations using nova light curves and survey frame limits yield a nova rate of . Using this value and the K-band photometry for M81 from the 2MASS Large Galaxy Atlas of Jarret et al. (2003) gives a luminosity specific nova rate of .The spatial distribution of the novae follows the bulge light much better than the disk or total light according to KS tests of their radial distribution. The asymmetric nova distribution across the major axis line of M81 implies a bulge-to-disk nova ratio of > 9 and supports the idea that novae originate primarily in older stellar populations.