Our colleague Dr. John Cannizzo, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, has
requested our assistance in monitoring the cataclysmic variable 0749+22
U Gem in order to schedule Target-of-Opportunity (TOO) observations with
NASA's Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) satellite when the star next goes
into outburst, predicted for the coming weeks.

According to observations in the AAVSO International Database, the last
outburst of U Gem was in mid-August, 2003, when it was reported declining
on August 16 at CCDV magnitude 9.8 and had returned to minimum by September 2.

Dr. Cannizzo has requested that we inform him immediately when U Gem starts
to go into outburst, i.e., becomes brighter than magnitude 13.5, and to
continue to keep him informed throughout the outburst. Timely notification
of the onset of the outburst and rise to maximum are essential for successful
scheduling of his RXTE TOO observations. Good coverage throughout the outburst
and after the star returns to minimum will be crucial in correlating his
RXTE observations.

Please monitor U Gem very closely and report your observations to AAVSO 
Headquarters immediately if you observe it at 13.5 magnitude or brighter. 
Please continue to report your observations throughout the outburst, making 
sure to indicate which comparison and check stars you used.

AAVSO 'b', 'c', 'd' ,and 'e' scale charts are available from the AAVSO
web site at:

http://www.aavso.org/cgi-bin/shrinkwrap.pl?path=/charts/GEM/U_GEM/


SUBMIT OBSERVATIONS TO THE AAVSO

We encourage observers to submit observations via our web site (online
data submission tool WebObs), or by email in AAVSO format to
observations@aavso.org. If you do not have AAVSO Observer Initials, please
contact Headquarters so we may assign them to you. The answering machine at
AAVSO Headquarters is on nights and weekends; use our charge-free number
(888-802-STAR = 888-802-7827) to report your observations, or report them
via fax (617-354-0665).

Many thanks for your valuable astronomical contributions and your efforts.

Good observing!

Elizabeth O. Waagen, Interim Director
on behalf of
Janet A. Mattei, Director