SDSS J012940.05+384210.4  Nov 29.045   14.5C



Outburst needs confirming, please, as it was on a single BRT image which was not
fully focused



Jeremy Shears

Cheshire, UK

_________________________________________________________________
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Sent: Sunday, November 29, 2009 3:50 PM
Subject: AAVSO Special Notice #183: Update on Nova Eri 2009


>
> AAVSO Special Notice #183
>
> Update on Nova Eri 2009
> November 29, 2009
>
> Contrary to my expectations, this transient object appears to
> be a true nova.
>
> H. Maehara, Kwasan Observatory, Kyoto University, reported in
> CBET 2053 that a low-resolution spectrum shows Halpha in emission
> with FWHM of 3400km/s.  M. Fujii reported on another spectrum
> that gives an Halpha FWHM of 3200 km/s, and other emission lines
> that suggest He/N nova classification; this classification was
> also suggested by Rudy et al., CBET 2055, from NIR spectra.
>
> In addition, Kasia Malek of the "Pi of the Sky" consortium,
> reported in [vsnet-alert 11695,11696] that their system obtained
> photometry of the nova from 2009/11/13 through 2009/11/26UT,
> with the object reaching a peak Cousins-R magnitude of
> Rc=5.60 on 2009/11/14.  This gives an outburst amplitude of
> about 9 magnitudes, reasonable for a nova.
>
> Bright Star Monitor photometry on 2009/11/28 gave rough colors
> and magnitude of V=8.38, (B-V) = -0.18, (V-Rc) = 0.63,
> (Rc-Ic) = 0.028, (V-Ic) = 0.67, showing the influence of
> the bright Halpha line.  This probably also influences the
> Pi-of-the-Sky magnitudes.
>
> These factors taken together strongly suggest that this is
> a classical He/N nova, about two weeks after maximum.  Being
> bright and in a good observing location for the next few
> months, this nova should be followed extensively until the
> end of the season.  CCD observers should use filters,
> preferably V and B; visual observers should be alert for any
> flaring activity.  As suggested by R. Huziak, many meteor
> observers acquiring images of the Leonid meteor shower may
> have early photometry, which will be especially valuable if
> the images were taken in RAW mode on DSLRs.  Since this nova
> has a bright progenitor, you may also have images from earlier
> periods, and there may be existing published photometry that
> can be data-mined.
>
> Charts with comparison stars can be generated with VSP, and
> observations can be submitted with names 000-BJR-847,
> VSX J044754.2-101043, or N Eri 2009.  We will be updating
> the comparison stars to give more accurate photometry and
> Rc/Ic bandpasses as soon as the weather improves in the
> Southwestern U.S.
> Arne
> ---------------------------------------------------
> SUBMIT OBSERVATIONS TO THE AAVSO
>
> Information on submitting observations to the AAVSO may be found at:
> http://www.aavso.org/observing/submit/
>
> SPECIAL NOTICE ARCHIVE AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
>
> A Special Notice archive is available at the following URL:
> http://www.aavso.org/publications/specialnotice/
>
> Subscribing and Unsubscribing may be done at the following URL:
> http://www.aavso.org/publications/email/
>

It has been my pleasure to work on an interview with Albert Jones, highlighting
his life story, variable star observations, comet discoveries and the story of
the man. I think what Albert has to say is interesting, enlightening and
inspiring.

This piece was a labor of love. I am so happy to share it with you. I hope you
enjoy it as much as I enjoyed being part of it.
http://simostronomy.blogspot.com/2009/11/albert-jones-interbiew.html

--
Mike Simonsen
Vice President
American Association of Variable Star Observers
49 Bay State Rd.
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-354-0484
www.aavso.org

It has been my pleasure to work on an interview with Albert Jones,
highlighting his life story, variable star observations, comet
discoveries and the story of the man. I think what Albert has to say
is interesting, enlightening and inspiring.

This piece was a labor of love. I am so happy to share it with you. I
hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed being part of it.
http://simostronomy.blogspot.com/2009/11/albert-jones-interbiew.html

--
Mike Simonsen
Vice President
American Association of Variable Star Observers
49 Bay State Rd.
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-354-0484
www.aavso.org

Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 2:36 PM
Subject: AAVSO Special Notice #182: More on the variable in Eridanus


>
> AAVSO Special Notice #182
>
> More on the variable in Eridanus
> November 26, 2009
>
> This new variable object in Eridanus, originally called
> a possible nova in CBET 2050, is most likely
> a WZ Sge variable.  It matches closely the coordinates
> of GSC1.2 05325-01837, listed in that catalog at 14.76mag.
> At the peak outburst magnitude of 7.3, this is about
> 7.5 magnitudes amplitude, within the range of a galactic
> variable and lower than a typical nova.  It appears to
> be fading and is about V=8.5 right now.  However,
> WZ Sge cataclysmic variables have a complex light curve
> and the star may rebrighten.  We are awaiting spectral
> confirmation and possible GCVS naming, and will pass
> on that information as soon as possible.
>
> As mentioned in Special Notice 181, the star has been
> entered as VSX J044754.2-101043 and now has an AUID of
> 000-BJR-847.  You can submit observations to the AAVSO
> with either identifier.  We have a preliminary sequence
> from Mati Morel, and have obtained BVRI imagery using
> the Bright Star Monitor at Astrokolkhoz Observatory
> which we will use to construct a multiwavelength sequence
> tomorrow (it is a national holiday in the U.S. today).
>
> This is a good target for time series photometry, and
> at its current brightness, we highly recommend using
> filters.  Larger telescopes should consider B or even U
> filters.
>
> Arne
>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> SUBMIT OBSERVATIONS TO THE AAVSO
>
> Information on submitting observations to the AAVSO may be found at:
> http://www.aavso.org/observing/submit/
>
> SPECIAL NOTICE ARCHIVE AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
>
> A Special Notice archive is available at the following URL:
> http://www.aavso.org/publications/specialnotice/
>
> Subscribing and Unsubscribing may be done at the following URL:
> http://www.aavso.org/publications/email/
>

Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 3:52 AM
Subject: AAVSO Special Notice #181: Possible Nova in Eridanus


>
> AAVSO Special Notice #181
>
> Possible Nova in Eridanus
> November 25, 2009
>
> Central Bureau Electronic Telegram No. 2050 (Daniel W. E. Green, Ed.)
> announces the discovery of a possible nova in Eridanus, as reported by
> Hitoshi Yamaoka, Kyushu University, by K. Itagaki, Yamagata, Japan, at
> magnitude 8.1 on images taken Nov. 25.536 UT. The object was confirmed
> by Itagaki on an image taken on Nov. 25.545.
>
> Coordinates: R.A. = 04:47:54.21  Decl. = -10:10:43.1 (equinox 2000.0)
>
> According to CBET No. 2050, "Itagaki notes that there is a faint (mag
> about
> 15) object near this position on his archival patrol images. Yamaoka
> suggests that it might be the brightening of a 15th-mag blue star that is
> contained in many catalogues (USNO-B1.0 position end figures 54s.19,
> 42".9), noting that the amplitude of seven magnitudes is rather large for
> a
> dwarf nova, but somewhat small for a rapid classical nova.  Yamaoka adds
> that the ASAS-3 system (Pojmanski 2002, Acta. Astron. 52, 397) also
> detected this object at the following V magnitudes:  Nov. 10.236 UT,
> [14.0:; 19.241, 7.34; 22.179, 7.98; 24.269, 8.12."
>
> Finder charts for this object may be plotted using VSP by entering the
> coordinates into the form at the URL
> http://www.aavso.org/observing/charts/vsp/.
>
> This object has been assigned the VSX identifier VSX J044754.2-101043. An
> AUID will be assigned by the VSX moderators and will be added to the
> online
> version of this notice when it becomes available. Please report
> observations to the AAVSO International Database as N ERI 2009 or
> VSX J044754.2-101043.
>
> Congratulations to K. Itagaki on his latest discovery!
>
> Elizabeth O. Waagen, AAVSO
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> SUBMIT OBSERVATIONS TO THE AAVSO
>
> Information on submitting observations to the AAVSO may be found at:
> http://www.aavso.org/observing/submit/
>
> SPECIAL NOTICE ARCHIVE AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
>
> A Special Notice archive is available at the following URL:
> http://www.aavso.org/publications/specialnotice/
>
> Subscribing and Unsubscribing may be done at the following URL:
> http://www.aavso.org/publications/email/
>

Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 2:35 PM
Subject: AAVSO Special Notice #180: Request for observations of V420 Aur in
support of Spitzer Space Telescope observations


>
> AAVSO Special Notice #180
>
> Request for observations of V420 Aur in support of Spitzer Space Telescope
> observations
> November 23, 2009
>
> Dr. Gordon Sarty, University of Saskatchewan, requests special
> assistance with his ongoing project to observe high mass X-ray binaries
> (HMXBs).  See AAVSO Alert Notice 377 and Special Notice 175 for more
> information on the current project.  Dr. Sarty provides the following
> text for the current request:
>
>
> "On November 29, 2009 from 18:40 to 22:35 UT the Spitzer IRAC instrument
> will observe the HMXB V420 Aur in an effort to observe clumpy
> circumstellar material pass behind the high mass B[e] star. This is the
> first of four 4 hour Spitzer observations of HMXBs planned. Continuous
> time-series observations in one filter that are simultaneous with the
> Spitzer observations will be the most valuable. The filters to use, in
> order of preference, are: V, I, R, B. Please contact [Dr. Sarty] at
> gordon.sarty@... to coordinate which filter to use with other
> observers. The target V420 Aur is:
>
> Desig.   Name         R.A.(2000) Dec.(2000)  Mag  LPH no.  AUID
> 0515+37  V420 Aur    05:22:35.2  +37:40:33.6  7.5  040    000-BCT-897
>
>
> A project specific chart is available at:
>
> http://homepage.usask.ca/~ges125/Astronomy/LPH040_aavso.pdf
>
>
> A brief abstract of the proposed Spitzer observations may be found at:
>
> http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2009sptz.prop60055S
>
> and an overview of the HMXB project may be found in the JAAVSO article
> at:
>
> http://www.aavso.org/publications/ejaavso/v35n2/327.shtml
>
>
> Please submit your observations directly to the AAVSO International
> Database.
>
>
> Thanks for your ongoing coverage of the HMXBs."
>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> SUBMIT OBSERVATIONS TO THE AAVSO
>
> Information on submitting observations to the AAVSO may be found at:
> http://www.aavso.org/observing/submit/
>
> SPECIAL NOTICE ARCHIVE AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
>
> A Special Notice archive is available at the following URL:
> http://www.aavso.org/publications/specialnotice/
>
> Subscribing and Unsubscribing may be done at the following URL:
> http://www.aavso.org/publications/email/
>

Timur Kryachko (Russia) report from unfiltered images with exposition
  300 sec (lim mag 21) taken with a Takahashi FRC-300 30-cm f/7.8 telescope
(+ Apogee Alta U9000 CCD camera) at KSU Astrotel Observatory
  (Karachay-Cherkessia, Russia).

JR mag

2455154.435347 16.54 CR
2455154.439132 16.55 CR
2455154.443032 16.54 CR
2455154.446921 16.51 CR
2455154.450833 16.48 CR

P.S.
This object was published on page CBAT Unconfirmed Observations Page:
<http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/iau/unconf/cbat_unconf.html>

Timur Kryachko (Russia) report the new object (mag approximately 16) on the 13
unfiltered images with exposition 300 sec (lim mag 21) taken Nov. 10, 11 and 12,
2009 with a Takahashi FRC-300 30-cm f/7.8
telescope (+ Apogee Alta U9000 CCD camera) at KSU Astrotel Observatory
(Karachay-Cherkessia, Russia).
The object was found by blinking with DSS2 R-photographic plate. All archival
DSS and 2MASS photographic plates shows this object fainter than 19-20 mag,
except DSS1 R and B plates.
The new object is located at R.A. = 06h26m57s.68 +/- 0.5, Decl. = +24d29m06s.8
+/- 0.5 (equinox 2000.0).
On the DDS1 consecutive B and R images is clearly visible that object is very
blue.
The object shows rather fast variability this days. Discovery image:
<http://www.makhaon.com/_files/transient.jpg>

Magnitude variability table:

JD mag

2455146.381076 16.24 CR
2455146.384711 16.20 CR
2455146.388657 16.18 CR
2455146.392558 16.18 CR
2455146.396481 16.18 CR

2455147.461146 15.72 CR
2455147.465069 15.77 CR
2455147.468924 15.74 CR
2455147.472836 15.77 CR
2455147.476736 15.78 CR

2455148.455694 15.90 CR
2455148.459491 15.95 CR
2455148.463437 15.92 CR

New magnitude estimation of new transient: 06h26m57s.68, +24d29m06s.8.
The object remains bright 7 days.

JD mag

2455153.415972 16.25 ÑR
2455153.419769 16.27 CR
2455153.423692 16.28 CR
2455153.427604 16.30 CR
2455153.431505 16.31 CR

Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 9:21 PM
Subject: AAVSO Special Notice #179: Request for observations of TT Ari in
support of GALEX observations


>
> AAVSO Special Notice #179
>
> Request for observations of TT Ari in support of GALEX observations
> November 16, 2009
>
> Further to Alert Notice 408 (2009 October 13), we are updating the initial
> request for observations of the cataclysmic variable TT Arietis to obtain
> time-series photometry in conjunction with ultraviolet observations by
> the GALEX satellite.  These observations were initiated by Dr. Joseph
> Patterson (Columbia U. and Center for Backyard Astrophysics) and are
> scheduled to continue through 2009 November 27.  These observations will
> occur daily on the schedule listed below.  Time-series observations are
> strongly encouraged during the expected times of the spacecraft
> observations.
>
> TT Ari remains in its low state, and is still exhibiting very large
> amplitude oscillations with timescales of minutes to hours.  The star
> varies between roughly V=16.5 and V=14.5, and the oscillations are rapid.
> Good signal-to-noise with high time-resolution are the key requirements;
> filters should only used if you have sufficient aperture to obtain good
> signal to noise with exposures of 5 minutes or less.
>
> The scheduled GALEX observations are as follows.  GALEX exposures are
> approximately 30 minutes long starting at the UT indicated; please
> observe for at least 30 minutes on either side of the window if
> possible.
>
>        2009 November 17 05:32:26.8 UT (JD 2455152.7309)
>        2009 November 17 07:11:00.9 UT (JD 2455152.7993)
>        2009 November 18 04:32:25.0 UT (JD 2455153.6892)
>        2009 November 18 06:10:59.2 UT (JD 2455153.7576)
>        2009 November 19 05:10:58.8 UT (JD 2455154.7160)
>        2009 November 19 06:49:33.1 UT (JD 2455154.7844)
>        2009 November 20 05:49:34.5 UT (JD 2455155.7428)
>        2009 November 20 07:28:09.0 UT (JD 2455155.8112)
>
> Additional observations have not yet been scheduled.
>
>
> For more information on these observations, please see the CBA website:
>
>        http://cbastro.org/communications/news/messages/0683.html
>
>
> The AAVSO is also maintaining a web page on TT Ari's current activity:
>
>        http://www.aavso.org/news/ttari_campaign.shtml
>
>
>
> TT Ari is located at the following (J2000) coordinates:
>
>        RA: 02:06:53.10 , Dec: +15:17:42.0
>
>
> Charts for TT Ari may be plotted with AAVSO VSP:
>
> http://www.aavso.org/observing/charts/vsp/index.html?pickname=TT%20Ari
>
>
> Please promptly submit all observations to the AAVSO with the name
> "TT ARI".
>
>
> This AAVSO Special Notice was prepared by M. Templeton.
>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> SUBMIT OBSERVATIONS TO THE AAVSO
>
> Information on submitting observations to the AAVSO may be found at:
> http://www.aavso.org/observing/submit/
>
> SPECIAL NOTICE ARCHIVE AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
>
> A Special Notice archive is available at the following URL:
> http://www.aavso.org/publications/specialnotice/
>
> Subscribing and Unsubscribing may be done at the following URL:
> http://www.aavso.org/publications/email/
>

Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 3:55 PM
Subject: AAVSO Special Notice #178: Request for observations of NSV 99 (khi
Peg)


>
> AAVSO Special Notice #178
>
> Request for observations of NSV 99 (khi Peg)
> November 16, 2009
>
> Further to AAVSO Alert Notice 405 (2009 October 2), Dr. Brian Espey,
> Trinity College, Dublin requests the AAVSO's assistance in monitoring
> the bright semi-regular variable NSV 99 (= khi Peg) in conjunction
> with observations by the Hubble Space Telescope.  HST is scheduled
> to perform ultraviolet spectroscopy on 2009 November 26
> (JD 2455161 - 162), and nightly V-band photometry is requested to
> measure the optical brightness and correlate it with the UV spectral
> features.  Observations are requested to begin now (2009 November 16,
> JD 2455152) and to continue through the end of November 2009.
>
> The following information was given in Alert Notice 405, and is repeated
> here for convenience:
>
>
> Photoelectric observers are asked to obtain nightly V-band photometry of
> NSV 99 using the following comparison and check stars:
>
> Comparison:     HR 22 (SAO 91734, "87 Peg")
>                RA/Dec(J2000): 00:09:02.4247 ,  18:12:43.067
>                V=5.532, (B-V)=1.038 (Mermilliod and Mermilliod 1998)
>
> Check:          HR 131 (SAO 74084, "52 Psc")
>                RA/Dec(J2000): 00:32:35.4859 ,  20:17:39.539
>                V=5.367, (B-V)=1.069 (Mermilliod and Mermilliod 1998)
>
> Note that these stars will not appear on VSP-generated charts smaller
> than A scale.  Both comparison and check stars are several degrees away,
> so please try to observe as close to the meridian as possible.  DSLR
> observers and wide-field CCD observers should use the same comparison
> and check stars as above.  There are few suitable near-field comparison
> stars, so standard CCD imaging is not recommended.
>
> When submitting CCD or DSLR data, please be clear as to what comparison
> stars you use.
>
> NSV 99 (= khi Peg) is located at the following (J2000) coordinates:
>
>        RA,Dec: 00:14:36.20 , +20:12:24.0
>
>
> Finder charts for NSV 99 may be plotted using VSP:
>
> http://www.aavso.org/observing/charts/vsp/index.html?pickname=NSV%2099
>
> Note that NSV 99 is itself a comparison star used for visual observing,
> so the chart will have a "48" label next to the star.
>
>
> Please submit observations to the AAVSO using either of "NSV 99" or
> "KHI PEG".
>
>
> This AAVSO Special Notice was prepared by M. Templeton.
>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> SUBMIT OBSERVATIONS TO THE AAVSO
>
> Information on submitting observations to the AAVSO may be found at:
> http://www.aavso.org/observing/submit/
>
> SPECIAL NOTICE ARCHIVE AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
>
> A Special Notice archive is available at the following URL:
> http://www.aavso.org/publications/specialnotice/
>
> Subscribing and Unsubscribing may be done at the following URL:
> http://www.aavso.org/publications/email/
>

SDSS J080846.19+313106.0   Nov 14.956   15.9C



Jeremy Shears

Cheshire, UK

_________________________________________________________________
Have more than one Hotmail account? Link them together to easily access both
  http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/186394591/direct/01/

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Tom Boles graciously granted an interview for the Simostronomy blog. I think it
turned out well. If you're interested here is the url.

http://simostronomy.blogspot.com/2009/11/tom-boles-supernova-supersleuth.html

Cheers,

Mike Simonsen

Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 5:29 PM
Subject: AAVSO Special Notice #177: Observing Campaign on the Secondary
Eclipse of zeta Aurigae


>
> AAVSO Special Notice #177
>
> Observing Campaign on the Secondary Eclipse of zeta Aurigae
> November 12, 2009
>
> As part of the AAVSO's Citizen Sky Project experienced observers are
> encouraged to contribute high precision observations of zeta Aurigae
> during the remainder of the month of November.  The nature of this system
> makes the secondary eclipse very difficult to observe with a minimal
> change in brightness.  Characterization of the secondary eclipse will be a
> challenging endeavor to observers.
>
> Zeta Aurigae is a bright (V ~ 3.75 out of eclipse), northern eclipsing
> variable with a known period of 2.66 years.  The system contains a hot,
> luminous B7V star and a more luminous K5II star.  During primary eclipse
> (which occurred in March 2009), the blue B7V star is obscured by the
> larger orange K5II star.  The secondary eclipse is more difficult to
> detect, because the B7V star obscures a small portion of the K5II star's
> light.  The approximate date of the eclipse is November 17, 2009, with an
> anticipated duration of about 40 days.  The K5II star is known to exhibit
> variations of 0.05 magnitude, therefore high precision photometry is
> necessary for this short campaign.
>
> For more information,including comp star coordinates and magnitudes,
> please visit:
>
>
http://www.citizensky.org/forum/mini-observing-campaign-secondary-eclipse-zeta-a\
urigae
>
> This AAVSO Special Notice was prepared by B. Kloppenborg and A. Henden.
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> SUBMIT OBSERVATIONS TO THE AAVSO
>
> Information on submitting observations to the AAVSO may be found at:
> http://www.aavso.org/observing/submit/
>
> SPECIAL NOTICE ARCHIVE AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
>
> A Special Notice archive is available at the following URL:
> http://www.aavso.org/publications/specialnotice/
>
> Subscribing and Unsubscribing may be done at the following URL:
> http://www.aavso.org/publications/email/
>

Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 2:51 PM
Subject: AAVSO Special Notice #176: Possible Nova in Scutum


>
> AAVSO Special Notice #176
>
> Possible Nova in Scutum
> November 9, 2009
>
> CBET #2008 (D.W.E. Green, editor) announced the discovery of a possible
> nova in Scutum on November 8, 2009. The new object was discovered by
> Hideo Nishimura (Miyawaki, Kakegawa, Japan) on 2009 Nov 8.37 UT (JD
> 2455143.87) who found the object near magnitude 8 on an image taken with
> a 120-mm camera lens and DSLR. The new object has since been confirmed
> by E. Guido and G. Sostero using a Global Rent-a-Scope telescope near
> Mayhill, New Mexico, USA on 2009 Nov 09.08 UT (JD 2455144.58).  Guido
> and Sostero report an unfiltered magnitude of 8.5, and provide the
> following astrometry of the new object:
>
>        RA: 18:43:45.57 , Dec: -07:36:42.0 (J2000)
>
> Guido and Sostero also note that there is no unambiguous progenitor
> candidate down to a limiting red magnitude of 20 present on DSS images
> of the field.
>
> The object has not yet been confirmed spectroscopically as a nova,
> although such a classification is presumed.  Pending final
> classification, please submit all observations of this object to the
> AAVSO using the VSX designation "VSX J184345.5-073642".
>
> An Alert Notice will be issued if the object is confirmed as a nova.
>
> This AAVSO Special Notice was prepared by M. Templeton.
>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> SUBMIT OBSERVATIONS TO THE AAVSO
>
> Information on submitting observations to the AAVSO may be found at:
> http://www.aavso.org/observing/submit/
>
> SPECIAL NOTICE ARCHIVE AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
>
> A Special Notice archive is available at the following URL:
> http://www.aavso.org/publications/specialnotice/
>
> Subscribing and Unsubscribing may be done at the following URL:
> http://www.aavso.org/publications/email/
>