VSNET Weekly Campaign Summary *** Last week news *** (new targets) KS UMa (RA = 10h20m26s.54, Dec = +53d04'33".5) As reported by E. Muyllaert and G. Poyner on Feb. 18, the SU UMa-type dwarf nova, KS UMa is now in outburst (12.7, 12.9mag; vsnet-campaign-dn 3447). There was no clear modulations in the light curve obtained by T. Vanmunster on Feb. 18/19 (vsnet-campaign-dn 3449). A subsequent observation by K. Nakajima showed a weak (~0.05 mag) signal, which may be attributed to early-stage superhumps (vsnet-campaign-dn 3454). T. Vanmunster then detected clear superhumps with an amplitude of 0.21 mag on February 19/20 (vsnet-campaign-dn 3455, 3459). Using the combined data, T. Kato reported that the superhump period of the early superoutburst phase was 0.07068(7) d, which is substantially longer than the previously reported periods (vsnet-campaign-dn 3460). On Feb. 22, T. Kato reported that, although there was a slight tendency of a period decrease during this period, no striking period change as recorded in UV Gem was observed (vsnet-campaign-dn 3464). A. Olech et al., the Ostrowik team, performed time-series observation on Feb. 21/22 and 22/24 and reported a period of 0.0699 +/- 0.0002 days (vsnet-campaign-dn 3465, 3476). T. Kato revised the superhump period to be 0.07026(2) d on Feb. 23. The rate of period change dot(P)/P was around -3*10(^4). While the baseline was still short, if confirmed, this negative period derivative is one of the most pronounced among moderate-period SU UMa-type dwarf novae (vsnet-campaign-dn 3467). In the late Feb. 23 - early Feb. 24 data, the main superhump maxima became weaker, while other peaks became stronger. The profile then become very complex, which resembles that of superhumps during the rapid decline stage. However, the present stage is too early for such a rapid decline, neither observations show such a rapid trend (vsnet-campaign-dn 3484). The superoutburst is now ongoing (vsnet-campaign-dn 3448, 3453, 3456, 3463, 3479). SN 2003au (RA = 16h11m11s.56, Dec = +61d15'58".2) SN 2003au is hosted by NGC 6095, an earliest spiral or a lenticular galaxy. The expected maximum for typical SN Ia is mag about 17.2 (vsnet-campaign-sn 564). UX Ori (RA = 05h04m30s.39, Dec = -03d47'18".3) The object is now fading to the 10th mag (vsnet-campaign-orion 40). SN 2003av (RA = 08h01m32s.57, Dec = +02d48'27".9) SN 2003av is hosted by a dim anonymous galaxy, which is a probable member of distant cluster (vsnet-campaign-sn 565). SN 2003aw (RA = 09h05m54s.79, Dec = -05d36'08".6) SN 2003aw is hosted by a dim galaxy (vsnet-campaign-sn 565). TmzV868 (RA = 01h47m57s.596, Dec = +56d17'36".85) T. Kato forwarded the Dr. Samus's comment that the object was identified with the USNO A1.0 star at the above position, but the star is actually between GSC 3692.2365 and GSC 3692.946. It would be likely that the object may not be a Mira-type object as originally supposed (vsnet-campaign-unknown 191, vsnet-campaign 1371). QW Ser (RA = 15h26m13s.99, Dec = +08d18'03".8) As reported by E. Muyllaert on Feb. 23, the SU UMa-type dwarf nova QW Ser is in outburst. The brightness (12.6mag) may suggest a superoutburst. Observations by P. Schmeer imply that the outburst has already been started on Feb. 21 (vsnet-campaign-dn 3482). The last superoutburst occurred in 2002 May (vsnet-campaign-dn 3470). AK Cnc (RA = 08h55m21s.21, Dec = +11d18'14".7) A possible outburst was reported, however, it turned out to be due to a minor planet (vsnet-campaign-dn 3471, 3472, 3473, 3474, 3475). SU UMa (RA = 08h12m28s.20, Dec = +62d36'22".6) As reported by M. Linnolt on Feb. 23, SU UMa is now in a possible "faint state" (15.3mag) (vsnet-campaign-dn 3478). As commented by E. Muyllaert, the outburst interval may lengthened. A similar event occurred in 1997 May - June. (vsnet-campaign-dn 3480, 3481). YY Her (RA = 18h14m34s.2, Dec = +20d59'21") L. Smelcer reported an outburst of YY Her (V=11.77 on Feb. 24) (vsnet-campaign-symbio 46, 47, 48). CAL 86 (RA = 05h46m18s.2, Dec = -68d35'37") As reported by R. Stubbings on Feb. 23, the cataclysmic variable CAL 86 (the X-ray source in the direction of the LMC) is in outburst. The quiescent magnitude is V=19.0, and the past recorded outburst was around V=14. The reported brightness surpasses the recorded outburst (vsnet-campaign-dn 3483). (continuous targets) PU CMa (RA = 06h40m47s.67, Dec = -24d23'14".6) On Feb. 17, the fading seems to have stopped, although the object was brighter than quiescence (vsnet-campaign-dn 3446). The object remained the slightly bright state at least for a couple of days (vsnet-campaign-dn 3457). AH Her (RA = 16h44m09s.99, Dec = +25d15'02".1) The standstill continues (vsnet-campaign-dn 3450). SN 2003ao (RA = 09h45m48s.46, Dec = -14d22'14".0) It is a type II SN, whose spectrum taken on Feb. 22.30 by the CfA team is consistent with the plateau phase of normal SN II (vsnet-campaign-sn 566). SN 2003ar (RA = 16h02m08s.11, Dec = +70d24'55".5) A spectrum taken on Feb. 22.50 by the CfA team shows that it was SN Ia two or three weeks after maximum (vsnet-campaign-sn 566). SN 2003as (RA = 05h28m45s.81, Dec = +49d52'59".1) According to the CfA team observation, it is turned out to be a type-IIn SN. It seemed to belong the luminous class, or "type IIn hypernova". Followup observations are very urged (vsnet-campaign-sn 566). beta CMi (RA = 07h27m09s.24, Dec = +08d17'23".4) While some reports showing possible activities of beta CMi, the object seems to be normal (vsnet-campaign-be 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, vsnet-campaign-ccd-discussion 42, 43, 44, 45). SN 2003at (RA = 16h38m47s.81, Dec = +66d01'23".7) The CfA team spectroscopy revealed that it was a somewhat young type-II SN on Feb. 22.52 (vsnet-campaign-sn 566). IGR J16318-4848 (RA = 16h31m48s.47, Dec = -48d49'00".6) B. Monard reported the detection of the optical counterpart of this object. The object was reported to be 17.3CR mag on Feb. 4 and 8 (vsnet-campaign-xray 195). T. Kato commented that this object is a bright object in 2MASS. Since the object lacks a clear signature of brightening, the identity with the X-ray transient is still unclear (vsnet-campaign-xray 196). R CrB (RA = 15h48m34s.40, Dec = +28d09'23".7) The object is now in a major fading. The fading rate is increasing with time. Observations are encouraged (vsnet-campaign-rcb 99, 100, 102, 103). GZ Cnc (RA = 09h15m51s.70, Dec = +09d00'50".2) The object again experienced an outburst (13.3mag) on Feb. 20 as reported by M. Simonsen. The last outburst occurred on Feb. 10 (vsnet-campaign-dn 3458). The light curve on Feb. 20 from the Nyrola team showed clear presence of intermediate-period (around 40 min) variations. The profile even looks "miniature" superhumps. There was no indication of the presence of short-period flare-like oscillations (vsnet-campaign-dn 3462, 3468). The object was still bright on Feb. 21 (vsnet-campaign-dn 3461). It then started fading (vsnet-campaign-dn 3477). MisV1147 (RA = 22h54m03s.78, Dec = +58d54'02".1) Another fading (14.8mag) was reported on February 17 (vsnet-campaign-unknown 189). It further faded to 15.5mag on Feb. 18 (vsnet-campaign-unknown 190). *** Future schedule *** eta Car: The next "shell event"/X-ray eclipse M. Corcoran reported the event will occur this summer. Coordinated ground-based observations of eta car along with the X-ray observations would be really important. For more information: Latest X-ray light curve: http://lheawww.gsfc.nasa.gov/users/corcoran/eta_car/etacar_rxte_lightcurve/ [vsnet-campaign-sdor 23, 24, 25, 26] [vsnet-campaign-xray 172] Light curve provided by S. Otero: http://ar.geocities.com/varsao/Curva_Eta_Carinae.htm [vsnet-campaign-sdor 22] The 2003 Gamma Ray Burst conference Hosted by Los Alamos, in Santa Fe, New Mexico (USA), between September 8 and 12, 2003 http://grb2003.lanl.gov/ [vsnet-campaign-grb 13] WEBT campaign on Mkn 421 M. Villata announced possible WEBT campaign on Mkn 421, in December 2002 and February-March 2003, to be carried out during multifrequency campaigns. The relevant information on the MW campaign of December 2-16 is at the VERITAS site <http://veritas.sao.arizona.edu> . [vsnet-campaign-blazar 287] [vsnet-campaign-blazar 288] SUPERNOVAE (10 YEARS OF SN1993J) 22-26 April 2003, Valencia, Spain Web site: http://vsnet.uv.es/2003supernovae/ [vsnet-campaign-sn 342] [vsnet-campaign-sn 452] [vsnet-campaign-sn 512] *** General information *** KS UMa Light curve by T. Vanmunster: http://vsnet.cbabelgium.com [vsnet-campaign-dn 3451, 3452, 3466] VSNET page: http://vsnet.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet/DNe/ksuma.html Superhump profile: http://vsnet.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/DNe/KS_UMa/kssh.gif [vsnet-campaign-dn 3469] Time-series data by L. Kral, see [vsnet-campaign-data 109] (This summary can be cited.) Regards, Makoto Uemura
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