THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF VARIABLE STAR OBSERVERS 25 Birch Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA INTERNET: aavso@aavso.org Tel. 617-354-0484 FAX 617-354-0665 AAVSO ALERT NOTICE 254 (February 22, 1999) MINOR OUTBURST OF 0324+43 GK PERSEI The old nova GK Per (Nova Per 1901) has gone into a minor outburst for the first time since 1996 (see AAVSO Alert Notice 219), as indicated by the following observations reported to the AAVSO: Feb 15.0639 UT, 13.0, M. Komorous, London, Ontario, Canada; 15.1299, 13.0, J. McKenna, Annandale, NJ; 15.167, 13.1, R. Modic, Richmond Heights, OH; 16.869, 13.0, P. Schmeer, Bischmisheim, Germany; 16.869, 13.0, Schmeer; 16.927, 13.1, G. Poyner, Birmingham, England; 17.0424, 12.9, J. Bortle, Stormville, NY; 20.788, 12.5, E. Muyllaert, Oostende, Belgium; 20.956, 12.7, H. McGee, West Clandon, Surrey, England; 21.0028, 12.5, Komorous; 21.0319, 12.4, Bortle; 21.2215, 12.4, G. Hanson, Cave Creek, AZ; 21.4833, 13.1, S. Sakuma, Kawasaki, Japan; 21.843, 12.3, J. Ripero Osorio, Madrid, Spain; 22.053, 11.9, S. O'Connor, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; 22.0569, 12.2, Komorous; 22.0726, 12.5, R. Berg, Crown Point, IN; 22.208, 12.1, O'Connor; 22.4201, 11.8, Sakuma. The last outburst of GK Per started on February 24, 1996; GK Per was bright for approximately 80 days, reaching a mean maximum magnitude of 10.4 and fading back to minimum by about May 15, 1996. The previous outburst of GK Per (see AAVSO Alert Notice 159) occurred on July 3, 1992; the star was bright for about 80 days, reached a mean maximum visual magnitude of 10.3, and returned to minimum by September 21, 1992. The accompanying light curve of observations in the AAVSO International Database shows the behavior of GK Per from JD 2448600 to 2451300 (December 1991 - February 1999). Please monitor GK Per using the accompanying AAVSO "e" and "f" standard charts, and report your observations to AAVSO Headquarters. These charts may also be retrieved from our ftp site and web site (see below). REQUEST TO MONITOR 1058+45 AN URSAE MAJORIS Astronomers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have requested our assistance in monitoring the AM Herculis-type magnetic variable AN Ursae Majoris throughout the coming year. Astronomers plan to observe AN UMa as a target-of-opportunity (TOO) with the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) satellite when the system is in its bright state (that is, visual magnitude approximately 16.0 or brighter). In order for these TOO observations to be possible, however, it is essential that observers notify AAVSO Headquarters very promptly of any brightening so we may inform the astronomers equally promptly. Please monitor AN UMa throughout this year, particularly from now until the end of April and from the beginning of November through the end of the year. Report all positive observations to AAVSO Headquarters on a nightly basis. Please do not try to observe this star if your telescope will not reach visual magnitude 14 and fainter - doing so would be an inefficient use of your time since AN UMa almost certainly is never brighter than visual magnitude 14. Accompanying are "d" and "e" scale AAVSO standard charts. Please use these charts to observe AN UMa. These charts may also be retrieved from our ftp site and web site (see below). REQUEST TO MONITOR 0014+21 QR ANDROMEDAE Astronomers at Ondrejov Observatory in the Czech Republic have requested our assistance in longterm monitoring of the variable star QR Andromedae. This variable star has been reported as a soft x-ray source, but the type of variability of the star is not known. QR And, which has a brightness range of photographic magnitude 11.5 - 13.0, has exhibited optical variations on scales ranging from weeks to months to years. No systematic longterm visual monitoring - that is, over many years - of QR And has ever been done, and longterm observations are needed in order to understand the nature of this star. Continuity of observations from year to year will be especially valuable in distinguishing real fluctuations of the star from observer-to-observer differences. If your equipment, location, observing conditions, and interest allow, please add 0014+21 QR And to your observing program and observe it regularly (every clear night), reporting your observations to four decimal places of the JD as part of your AAVSO monthly reports. Accompanying is a set of charts for QR And supplied by the Czech Astronomical Society and created by them using magnitudes from the Hipparcos and Tycho Catalogues and the Guide Star Catalog. Please use these charts and the comparison star sequence on them to observe QR And. CHARTS AVAILABLE ON AAVSO WEB AND FTP SITES Electronic copies of the AAVSO charts of GK Per, AN UMa, and QR And mentioned in this Alert Notice are available through our web site at the following address: http://www.aavso.org All of these charts may also be obtained directly from our FTP site: ftp.aavso.org (198.116.78.5), in /alerts/alert254) The answering machine at AAVSO Headquarters is on nights and weekends for your convenience. Please call our charge-free number (888-802-STAR = 888-802-7827) to report your observations. We also encourage observers to send observations by fax to 617-354-0665 or by e-mail through the Internet to observations@aavso.org. Many thanks for your valuable astronomical contributions and your efforts. Good observing! Janet A. Mattei Director