Special Notice #167: Possible outburst of the suspected UGWZ star VX For

AAVSO Special Notice #167

Possible outburst of the suspected UGWZ star VX For
September 14, 2009

The infrequently-outbursting suspected dwarf nova VX For has been reported in outburst by Rod Stubbings (Tetoora Road, Victoria, Australia), at a magnitude of 13.0 on 2009 September 14.636 (JD 2455089.136).  Confirmation of this outburst and further observations are requested.  Both visual and CCD observations are needed, including fainter-than estimates.

VX For is a suspected dwarf nova of the infrequently outbursting, high-amplitude WZ Sge class.  Stubbings notes that the only known outburst was the discovery event in 1990 (Liller et al., IAUC 5127, D.W.E. Green, editor).  The progenitor object is fainter than V < 20.0, which indicates an outburst amplitude of at least seven magnitudes.  The large amplitude and long interval since the last recorded outburst suggests a WZ Sge star.

All photometry, including visual estimates, CCD photometry, and CCD time-series are requested.  Time-series is particularly needed to detect possible superhumps, and/or rebrightening events also common in WZ Sge stars.

VX For is located at the following (J2000) coordinates:

        RA: 03:26:46.90 , Dec: -34:26:37.0

Custom charts for VX For may be plotted using AAVSO VSP: http://www.aavso.org/observing/charts/vsp/index.html?pickname=VX%20For

Please promptly report all observations to the AAVSO with the name "VX For".

This AAVSO Special Notice was prepared by M. Templeton.
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