THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF VARIABLE STAR OBSERVERS
                   25 Birch Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
                   Tel. 617-354-0484       Fax 617-354-0665
                            http://www.aavso.org

                        * * *  AAVSO NEWS FLASH  * * *

Subject:0659-03  V838 Mon (Var Mon 02)             No. 907
        0131+15  SN 2002ap              
                                                   February 3, 2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

0659-03  V838 MON  (VAR MON 02)
 
This peculiar variable has increased in brightness significantly, by
more than 3.5 magnitudes, since February 1, 2002, reaching magnitude
7.4 by Feb. 03.8 UT.  Observers are strongly urged to monitor it
closely, at every 15-minute intervals, for as long as possible.  CCD
and Photoelectric Photometrists are urged to use as many filters as
possible, besides V.

A B scale AAVSO chart has been posted on the AAVSO website at URL:

	http://www.aavso.org/charts/catalog/MON/V838_MON

A light curve of this variable with observations in the AAVSO Quick
Look File has also been posted on the V838 Mon webpage at URL:

	http://www.aavso.org/var_mon_02.stm

Please use 0659-03 V838 MON when reporting all future observations of
this object to AAVSO Headquarters.

__________________________________________________________________________
0131+15  SN 2002ap

This supernova, announced in News Flash 904 and updated in News Flash
906, continues to brighten. It reached magnitude 12.5 by Feb. 03.7 UT.

Please continue to keep a close eye on this very interesting object.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please monitor these and other variable stars closely and phone-in, fax,
or e-mail your observations to the AAVSO.

Good observing!
Janet A. Mattei, Director
____________________________________________________________________________