THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF VARIABLE STAR OBSERVERS 25 Birch Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA BITNET: aavso@cfa SPAN: cfa::aavso INTERNET: aavso@cfa.harvard.edu Tel. 617-354-0484 FAX 617-354-0665 AAVSO ALERT NOTICE 206 (April 5, 1995) RARE OUTBURST OF 1227+14 AL COMAE BERENICES David York, Abiquiu, NM, has reported the brightening of AL Com, and Tom Cragg, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia, has confirmed the outburst, as indicated by the following observations: Apr 5.1486 UT, 14.9, D. York; 5.6000, 12.7, T. Cragg. The data file on AL Com in the AAVSO International Database goes back to 1967, and it indicates that this cataclysmic variable has had two outbursts, one in April 1974, when it reached magnitude 14.0 and was in outburst (brighter than magnitude 15.0) for four days, and one in March 1975, when it reached magnitude 12.8, slowly faded to magnitude 14.9 in 18 days, and stayed at around that brightness for another 12 days before fading to minimum. Since then, the star has been well monitored and it has been at minimum; most of the observations in the database are fainter than 15.0 (<15.0). S. Howell, Planetary Science Institute, communicates via vsnet that AL Com is near magnitude 20.5 at minimum. Please use the accompanying AAVSO "e" scale preliminary chart with photoelectric sequence by R. Stanton to observe AL Com. Both visual and, particularly, CCD observers are urged to search for superhumps while this star is at maximum. To search for superhumps, please observe AL Com as often as you can, preferably every 5 minutes or less and record your observations very carefully, recording the exact time of your observations. If AL Com is an SU UMa-type cataclysmic variable, and has superhumps, then the superhump period should be less then two hours. We congratulate Dave on his discovery of AL Com in outburst, and we thank Tom for confirming it. The answering machine at AAVSO Headquarters is on nights and weekends for your convenience. Please call our charge-free number (800-642-3883) to report your observations. We also encourage observers to send observations by fax at 617-354-0665 or by e-mail through the Internet at aavso@cfa.harvard.edu. When telephoning in observations, please state the name of the star, the magnitude, and the time of the observation. The preferred time is either your local time (be sure to state the time zone and whether it is Standard or Daylight Savings Time) or Universal Time. You do not need to give the designation of the star. Please also include the comparison stars you have used in making the observation. Many thanks for your dedicated efforts and valuable astronomical contributions. Good observing, Janet A. Mattei Director