Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Sat, 03/16/2013 - 22:27

I observed it last night at V=12.25, quite bright than I normally recall it, maybe its beginning an outburst?

Mike LMK

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
gk per

Possibly, I observed it on the 15th of March at 12.7v and thought the same thing. My problem is I live in southwest Pa. where we get less clear days than Seattle Wash. Maybe other observers will get to check it out soon. Larry SLH

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
GK Per brightening

The upward trend visible in the LCG over the last week appears to be continuing. I measured it at v=12.36 about an hour ago.  Maybe this is just a small, short-term uptick but maybe it's about to outburst again.

Shawn (DKS)

Affiliation
None
Current outburst of GK Per

 

There need be little doubt that GK Per is in outburst. I suspected activity on the 11th and was pretty sure by the 13th. Fortunately, I didn't ferret through my records until yesterday, when I found a self directed rebuke at having missed the outburst of March/April 2010, thus evading any bias, which might have been influenced judgement last week.

 

Further research reveals a rather precise three year cycle of outbursts: so GK is right on time. We can therefore expect the rising trend to continue through April and culminate at about the 10th magnitude. Unfortunately the field will be sinking increasing low in the north west through this period.

 

Affiliation
Magyar Csillagaszati Egyesulet, Valtozocsillag Szakcsoport (Hungary) (MCSE)
GK Per rising

I also noticed that the brightening of GK Per started in the beginning of this month. The are my provisional DSLR and visual observations

20130203.88  UT  13.08TG    FRF
20130302.84  UT  13.02TG    FRF
20130305.77  UT  12.98TG    FRF
20130311.81  UT  12.88TG    FRF
20130316.81  UT  12.5         FRF (visual)

Clear skies,

Robert Fidrich (FRF)

GK Per rising

It's definitely rising, but note that GK Per has shown some weak outbursts in the past.  It's too early to tell what kind of outburst this will be, but please keep watching!  Elizabeth Waagen will issue a Notice this afternoon (US Eastern).

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
GK Per outburst appears to be underway

AAVSO Special Notice #343 gives current details of the apparent outburst of GK Per. This is the first outburst of GK Per in 3 years, almost twice the usual interval of 18-24 months. As the past three outbursts have all been unusual, it is important to cover this outburst well.

Many thanks and good observing  -  Elizabeth Waagen, AAVSO HQ