AK Cnc outburst As reported, AK Cnc, an SU UMa-type dwarf nova with a short orbital period, is udergoing an (relatively rare) outburst. The last confirmed outburst occurred in 2000 Feb, which was a superoutburst. As in other short period systems, outbursts of AK Cnc are relatively rare, and are often associated with varieties of phenomena (clear precursor, rebrightening) seen in similar systems (as in T Leo, UV Per, V1028 Cyg etc.). Development of superhumps is another very important point to follow, since some of these short-period systems tend to show "early superhumps". An earlier likely superoutburst (not well observed) of AK Cnc was observed in 1999 March, which was preceded by a precursor 10 days before. Previous observations of superhumps in AK Cnc were still rather limited, so we encourage further time-resolved CCD observations, if the present outburst continues. (The CCD observation of 13.6 mag on Feb. 12.1436 according to AAVSO News Flash #737 strongly suggests a superoutburst!). If the outburst turns out to be a genuine superoutburst, the object would be an ideal target before QW Ser rises! YYYYMMDD(UT) mag observer 20010209.835 <135 (E. Muyllaert) 20010210.456 <134 (R. Stubbings) 20010211.301 <142 (M. Simonsen) 20010211.478 <140 (R. Stubbings) 20010212.887 <137 (G. Poyner) 20010212.948 <136 (H. McGee) 20010213.847 136 (E. Muyllaert) Regards, VSNET Collaboration team