PLEASE GO TO ALERT NOTICE 820 FOR CURRENT OBSERVING REQUEST. - Elizabeth O. Waagen, April 19, 20232
Note: The Chandra observations of September 26 were carried out successfully. Additional Chandra observations are scheduled for October 3 and 4. Please continue to monitor R Aqr through the end of the observing season and through 2023. - Elizabeth O. Waagen, 3 October 2022
September 21, 2022
AAVSO Forum threads (scroll to the bottom of a thread for latest posts):
- Campaigns and Observation Reports: https://www.aavso.org/r-aqr-campaign-2022
- Long Period Variables: https://www.aavso.org/r-aqr-campaign-2022-01
- Spectroscopy: https://www.aavso.org/r-aqr-campaign-2022-02
Please subscribe to these threads if you are participating in the campaign so you can be updated by the astronomer and by HQ. Join in the discussion or ask questions there!
Dr. Margarita Karovska (Center for Astrophysics|Harvard & Smithsonian) requests the assistance of AAVSO observers in monitoring the symbiotic binary (Mira + white dwarf) R Aqr in support of upcoming Chandra observations.
The Chandra observations are scheduled for September 26, 2022 UT.
Starting now, Dr. Karovska requests photometry (UBVRIH, mid-IR if at all possible), high speed photometry (UB), and spectroscopy. Visual observations are welcome. The cadence requested is nightly from now through September 26, then twice a week through October 10.
R Aqr has a V range of 5.2 - 12.4. The most recent magnitudes from the AAVSO International Database show R Aqr at magnitude 9.32 V +/-0.006 on 2022 September 19.9033 UT and 10.832 B +/-0.009 on September 19.9042 UT (S. Dufoer, Brussels, Belgium).
Coordinates (J2000): R.A. 23 43 49.46 Dec. -15 17 04.2 (from VSX entry for R Aqr)
Charts with comparison stars for R Aqr may be created using the AAVSO Variable Star Plotter (VSP).
Please report all photometry observations to the AAVSO International Database using the name R AQR.
Spectroscopy reports should be submitted to the AAVSO Spectroscopy Database and to Dr. Karovska (mkarovska@cfa.harvard.edu).
Additional Chandra observations of R Aqr are planned for later this season.
R Aqr is presently undergoing the eclipse that occurs about every 40 or so years.
This Alert Notice was compiled by Elizabeth O. Waagen.
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SUBMIT OBSERVATIONS TO THE AAVSO
Information on submitting observations to the AAVSO may be found at:
- Photometry/visual observations: https://www.aavso.org/webobs
- Spectroscopy: https://www.aavso.org/apps/avspec/
ALERT NOTICE ARCHIVE AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
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https://www.aavso.org/aavso-alert-notices-for-observing-campaigns-and-discoveries
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