Special Notice #72: 1RXS_J023238.8-371812 rapid fading

October 12, 2007: A new large-amplitude cataclysmic binary, most likely a WZ Sge system, was discovered by K. Malek of the "Pi of the Sky" team in mid-September. It has been linked to the following ROSAT RASS object:

1RXS_J023238.8-371812

and has coordinates of

02:32:38.13 -37:17:54.7     J2000

It was about 11th magnitude upon discovery, and displayed superhumps with period 0.066d.

Starting about 2007 October 11, this CV began a dramatic fade in brightness and is now about V=16. The possible progenitor is a star about 18th magnitude, so the CV is rapidly approaching its pre-outburst brightness. It is highly likely that an echo-outburst will take place within a week or so, and we recommend that observers continue to follow this object through the current season. You can create a finding chart for the CV using VSP: http://www.aavso.org/observing/charts/vsp/ and submit data to the AAVSO using the designations:  0228-37  or   RXSJ023238

A photometric calibration for the field can be found at: ftp://ftp.aavso.org/public/calib/rxj0232.dat

Good luck and clear skies!

Arne Henden

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