[vsnet-obs 3823] RX And

[Gary Poyner <gp@star.sr.bham.ac.uk>]

Following Marc Biesmans recent remarks on RX And, I made estimates
last night using both the BAAVSS and VSNET charts (for the first 
time, because I had not realised a VSNET one had been one issued).
The results were somewhat surprising.  The VSNET sequence yielded 
a magnitude of 15.1, whilst the BAAVSS produced 14.6 (clearly RX 
And had faded from the previous night).  Also the BAAVSS chart has 
poor (compared with the VSNET chart) faint star detail near to RX 
And, and although does show the close field star mentioned by 
Marc, it suggests by it's 'dot' size to be fainter than it clearly 
is.  I haven't seen an AAVSO chart for RX And, so I can't comment
on this.

Checking through the BAAVSS archive (which contains 13,865 
observations for the years 1926-1940, 1945-1996), it would seem 
that RX And is now fainter than at any other time, with the 
exception of one observation on Nov. 30 1992 at 14.7 (going  
by the BAA sequence).  However owing to the poor quality of 
the close in field of the BAAVSS chart, one could speculate 
that many of these minima were indeed a good deal fainter!

Needless to say, hasty chart revision is now under way.  In the 
meantime, I would strongly recommend that those observers using 
the BAAVSS chart (number 001.02), use the VSNET chart and sequence 
whilst RX And is in this deep minimum, until a revised chart can be 
completed.

regards,
Gary

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