AAVSO Special Notice #227

Unusual Behavior of FS Aur - Outburst Imminent?

January 3, 2011: The campaign to monitor activity of the peculiar cataclysmic variable FS Aurigae, as announced in AAVSO Alert Notice 428 [1] (see also AAVSO Special Notice #226 [2]), continues. Principal Investigator Dr. Vitaly Neustroev reports that the campaign is going well, and that he is very appreciative of your observing efforts and contributions.

A new outburst of FS Aur is expected in the next few nights, and may be imminent. Currently the star is brightening very slowly - although not in outburst and unlike in its previous outbursts - and Dr. Neustroev is very interested in this behavior. Time series observations are strongly encouraged; any and all filters may be used including clear, but V filter is preferred. Please continue to follow FS Aur throughout outburst until it returns to quiesence.

FS Aur is located at the following (J2000) coordinates: RA: 05 47 48.32 , Dec: +28 35 11.6

Charts for FS Aur may be plotted using VSP: http://www.aavso.org/vsp [3]

Please promptly submit all observations to the AAVSO International Database using the name "FS AUR".

Many thanks, and good observing!

This AAVSO Special Notice was prepared by Elizabeth O. Waagen.

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