[vsnet-alert 2358] WX Cet rare outburst

[Taichi Kato <tkato>]

WX Cet rare outburst

  The SU UMa-type dwarf nova WX Cet is undergoing a rare outburst.
The latest two outbursts were observed in 1996 July (superoutburst) and
1997 September (short outburst).

  YYMMDD(UT)   mag  observer
  981101.471  <138  (R. Stubbings)
  981102.527  <130  (R. Stubbings)
  981105.440  <131  (R. Stubbings)
  981106.454  <150  (R. Stubbings)
  981108.466  <150  (R. Stubbings)
  981110.477   118  (R. Stubbings)

  Maximal magnitudes of superoutbursts of WX Cet tend to have a large scatter
(~3 mag) as compared with other 'usual' SU UMa-type dwarf novae
(e.g. T. Kato, IBVS No. 4256; another example SW UMa).  From this point,
the present magnitude may already suggests a superoutburst.  WX Cet showed
another rather preculiar feature during the final fading stage of
a superoutburst.  In contrast to most SU UMa-type dwarf novae (including
an extreme case of AL Com, the termination of the 1991 superoutburst was
not accompanied by a rapid decline -- somewhat remniscent of the long
fading tail of the 1978 superoutburst of WZ Sge.  Observers are strongly
urged to closely monitor this still enigmatic dwarf nova.

Related articles:

  http://vsnet.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet/DNe/wxcet9607.html
  http://vsnet.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet/DNe/wxcetsh.html

Regards,
Taichi Kato

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