February 10, 2006: Grzegorz Pojmanski, Warsaw University Astronomical Observatory, reports on a new object detected by the ASAS-3 cameras. The object is at RA = 17h 33m 13s DEC = -24d 21'.1 (J2000).
Sample of ASAS-3 CCDV observations of the new object, using photometry from their 1st aperture:
October 26.013 <14 February 9.390 12.090 Err: 0.028
February 10.327 12.048 Err: 0.037
February 10.342 11.938 Err: 0.029
February 6, 2006: The DQ Her-type (intermediate polar) magnetic variable DO Dra is in outburst. This star has outbursts at irregular intervals that last only 4-5 days. The
last outburst reported in the AAVSO International Database occurred in March
2005, when the star reached visual magnitude 11.2.
January 27, 2006: Grzegorz Pojmanski, Warsaw University Astronomical Observatory, reports on a possible new nova or dwarf nova discovered by the ASAS3V instrument. The previously unobserved object was first detected by ASAS3V at RA = 10h 22m 22s DEC = -15d 42'.4 (assumed J2000) on Jan 26.245 UT at magnitude 12.219 in V.
Complete ASAS-3 CCD V observations of the new object:
Jan 23.260 <14 Jan 26.245 12.219 Err: 0.047
Jan 27.346 12.476 Err: 0.084
Jan 27.349 12.492 Err: 0.076
Jan 27.352 12.469 Err: 0.084
January 24, 2010: Further to CBET 2140 (D.W.E. Green, editor), a probably nova has been discovered in Sagittarius by J. Seach (Chatsworth Is., NSW, Australia). The object was discovered by Seach on 2010 January 20.22 UT (JD 2455216.72) at a magnitude of approximately 8.5 using a DSLR with 50-mm f/1.4 lens and orange filter, at coordinates RA: 18:07:26 , Dec: -29:01:00. Nothing was visible at this location in a prior image taken 2009 November 15.89 to a limit of mag 11.5. The object has since been confirmed by several observers: W.
January 28, 2010: The recurrent nova U Sco has been reported in outburst, and confirming observations and immediate reporting are urgently requested.
U Sco is located at coordinates RA: 16 22 30.80 , Dec: -17 52 43.0 (J2000).
February 3, 2010: Epsilon Aurigae continues to progress through its first eclipse since 1982-84. Visual and photometric observation means place it at around magnitude 3.7-3.8. Totality was likely reached sometime in January, but it will take some time to analyze the data to establish a specific date. Totality is expected to last about 15 months, but the system is not expected to remain quiet during this time. Small amplitude modulations are being detected which are likely not associated with the eclipse itself. However, their exact source is still debated.
February 8, 2010: Dr. Bradley Schaefer has requested increased optical coverage of the recurrent nova U Scorpii through the end of February 2010 at least. Of greatest interest are calibrated multicolor photometry to follow the evolution of the optical spectrum throughout the outburst, and intensive time-series photometry to study flickering in the system and to time the eclipses. Recent photometry of U Scorpii has indicated that the nova ejecta shell has become optically thin, making the central star visible again.
February 9, 2010: The blazar 3C 66A has been steadily brightening in the optical for the past few hundred days, and is now at or near the bright limits of the AAVSO records for this object. The most recent observations put 3C 66A near V=13.9: m(vis)=13.8, JD 2455234.361 (2010 Feb 06.861; G. Poyner, Birmingham, England); m(V)=13.88, JD 2455235.566 (Feb 08.066; R. Campbell, Largo, Florida, USA); m(V)=13.90, JD 2455235.740 (Feb 08.240; R. Campbell).
