Special Notice #125: Enhanced monitoring of GK Persei

September 22, 2008

As discussed by AAVSO observer John Bortle (cvnet-outburst 2620, September 21, 2008), the dwarf nova GK Persei (= Nova Per 1901) has been approximately half a magnitude brighter than its average quiescent brightness (m(vis) ~ 13.1) for the bast two weeks.  GK Per is not out of its historical quiescent range, but such bright periods are uncommon (see the light curve circa JD 2453750 for a recent example).  Enhanced monitoring of GK Per over the next few weeks is requested so that any further abnormal activity is fully observed. The most recent observations submitted to the AAVSO (Carlo Gualdoni, approximate JD 2454730.88, 2008 Sep 21.38) are m(V) = 12.38, m(B) = 12.99.

GK Per (AUID 000-BBG-044) is located at the following J2000 coordinates:

RA: 03 31 12.00 , Dec +43 54 15.0

Charts for GK Per may be plotted using VSP: http://www.aavso.org/observing/charts/vsp/index.html?pickname=GK%20Per

Please promptly submit all observations to the AAVSO via WebObs.

This AAVSO Special Notice was prepared by Matthew Templeton.

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