[vsnet-be 7] RE: Historically brightest Be star outbursts

[Sebasti若n Otero <varsao@fullzero.com.ar>]

>    I know alpha Eri is a Be star (V=0.5), but is not very variable.
> The other two stars Sebastian listed have much fainter (alpha Ara: 2.86 -
> 3.00 V; eta Cen: 2.30 - 2.41 V).

As irregular variables, the Be stars can give us surprises.
I've seen that most of the catalogues ranges don't show the true amplitude
of the variations.

Kappa CMa may have not been very active in past decades but since the 90's
has reached V= 3.5 several times while its catalogue range is 3.78 - 3.96.
At quiescence this star is now at 3.7 so it's always "out of range".
On the contrary, Chi Oph has stayed at 4.2 (its brightest) for years now,
when in past decades was fainter.

Alpha Ara is at 2.8 since at least 1999, so it's brighter than catalogued
and Eta Cen was observed weaker than ever at 2.5 in March.

If those irregularities and unexpected behaviour weren't enough then came
this surprise by Delta Sco... So I think any of these stars can any time
wake up and brighten further than expected.

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