THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF VARIABLE STAR OBSERVERS
25 Birch Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
BITNET: aavso@cfa8 SPAN: nssdca::cfa8::aavso
Tel. 617-354-0484 FAX 617-354-0665
AAVSO ALERT NOTICE 151 (December 24, 1991)
SUPEROUTBURST OF 0203 + 56A UV PERSEI
The cataclysmic variable 0203 + 56A UV Persei is undergoing a superoutburst, as
indicated by the following observations from AAVSO observers:
Dec 21.990 UT 12.3 G. Dyck, Assonet, MA
22.224 11.6 J. Griese, Rocky Hill, CT
23.032 11.0 C. Scovil, Stamford, CT
23.033 11.4 J. Griese
23.157 11.5 R. Stewart, W. Paterson, NJ
24.277 11.6 R. Stewart
Recent superoutbursts reported include May 1987 and October 1989, when UV Per
reached approximately 11.6. The most recent outburst was reported in January
1991, when the star reached approximately magnitude 12.0 and was bright for
approximately three days.
Please monitor UV Per closely, using the accompanying AAVSO chart, and report
your observations to AAVSO Headquarters.
SUPEROUTBURST OF 0803+62 SU URSAE MAJORIS
This cataclysmic variable is also undergoing a superoutburst. Recent observations include
Dec 17.422 UT 12.2 R. Hays, Worth, IL
18.469 11.2 R. Hays
19.456 11.5 J. Bortle, Stormville, NY
19.47 11.5 G. Dyck, Assonet, MA
19.490 11.2 R. Hays
20.417 11.5 R. Royer, Lakewood, CA
23.000 11.9 G. Dyck
23.169 11.9 R. Stewart, W. Paterson, NJ
Please use the accompanying chart to observe SU UMa and report your observations to
Headquarters.
SUPERNOVA IN NGC 4374 [SN 1991bg]
We have been informed by the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (IAU Circular 5400) of the report
by H. Kosai, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, of the visual discovery of
a supernova in NGC 4374 (M84) by Reiki Kushida, YatSugatake South Base Observatory,
Japan, on December 9.844 UT. The supernova discovery was reported to the Bureau on
December 12. The position of the supernova (epoch 1950) is
R.A 12h 22' 31.54" Decl. +13deg 08' 52.4"
The presence of the supernova was confirmed by astronomers at the University of
California at Berkeley. It was confirmed spectroscopically as a Type Ia supernova,
although perhaps spectroscopically somewhat peculiar, by astronomers at the F.L.
Whipple Observatory, University of California at Berkeley, and Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory.
A visual observation made on December 19.5 by C. Scovil indicated it had faded
to approximately magnitude 15, an estimate very difficult to make because of
the waxing moon and the very small observational window between moonset and
predawn. twilight. A photovisual observation made by R. Royer on December 20.5
indicated magnitude 14.2 for the supernova, although he commented that visually
the supernova could be fainter.
Observations of the supernova include
Nov 17.802 UT (15.1 photovisual, Y. Kushida, Yacsugatake South Base
Observatory, Japan
Dec 3.77 14.9 photovisual, Y. Kushida
7.54 14.9: photovisual, R Royer, Lakewood, CA
9.844 14.0: visual, R Kushida, Yacsugatake South Base
Observatory, Japan
9.860 14.5 photovisual, Y. Kushida
10.8 14.3: photoelectric V, T. Kato, National Astronomical
Observatory, Japan
10.804 14.4 photovisual, Y. Kushida
19.5 15: visual, C. Scovil, Stamford, CT
20.5 14.2 photovisual, R Royer
Please use the enclosed chart of NGC 4374 to observe the supernova and report
your observations to Headquarters.
Our congratulations to Reiki on her visual discovery!
The answering machine (617-354-0484) will be on at Headquarters 24 hours a
day December 24 - 29, and will be checked twice daily. After December 29 it
will be on weekends and nights, as usual.
Janet Mattei, who is out of the country on a family matter, and I thank you
very much for your astronomical efforts and contributions. Best wishes to
you and your loved ones from us at AAVSO Headquarters for happy holidays.
Clear skies and good observing!
Elizabeth O. Waagen
Senior Technical Assistant
Attachments:
NGC 4374 Thompson-Bryan chart - SN 1991bg
-------------------------------------------------
SUBMIT OBSERVATIONS TO THE AAVSO
Information on submitting observations to the AAVSO may be found at:
http://www.aavso.org/webobs
SPECIAL NOTICE ARCHIVE AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
A Special Notice archive is available at the following URL:
http://www.aavso.org/special-notice-archive
Subscribing and Unsubscribing may be done at the following URL:
http://www.aavso.org/observation-notification#specialnotices
-------------------------------------------------
Please support the AAVSO and its mission -- Join or donate today:
http://www.aavso.org/apps/donate/