[vsnet-alert 18853] RX Pup possibly starting an active state

[Berto Monard]

The well known symbiotic star and possible SN progenitor RX Puppis has entered an
unstable state since a couple of months.
Observations at the Bronberg and Kleinkaroo observatories showed a gradual fading
over the period 2004 to 2013 from magnitude 12.4V to 14.8V.
A rebrightening over 0.5V occured in 2013-2014. A further rebrightening started in
March 2015 and seems to be getting more prominent lately. 

Interesting to note is that the Ic lightcurve showed an even more dramatic sudden
increase, pointing at the donor giant as the possible source of the activity.

Unfortunately this is not good timing as the observing season for RX Pup comes to
an end.

Recent V and Ic magnitudes of RX Puppis are tabled below.

2457100.30	14.69	CCD-V		10.85	CCD-I
2457104.40	14.68	CCD-V		10.84	CCD-I
2457110.30	14.62	CCD-V		10.81	CCD-I
2457120.35	14.65	CCD-V		10.72	CCD-I
2457126.25	14.65	CCD-V		10.66	CCD-I
2457131.25	14.56	CCD-V		10.63	CCD-I
2457136.20	14.65	CCD-V		10.61	CCD-I
2457140.30	14.63	CCD-V		10.60	CCD-I
2457149.20	14.59	CCD-V		10.52	CCD-I
2457151.25	14.64	CCD-V		10.51	CCD-I
2457154.20	14.60	CCD-V		10.52	CCD-I
2457159.20	14.62	CCD-V		10.49	CCD-I
2457163.20	14.55	CCD-V		10.46	CCD-I
2457168.25	14.67	CCD-V		10.45	CCD-I
2457170.30	14.56	CCD-V		10.46	CCD-I
2457178.30	14.55	CCD-V		10.43	CCD-I
2457180.20	14.65	CCD-V		10.38	CCD-I
2457185.20	14.55	CCD-V		10.42	CCD-I
2457188.20	14.58	CCD-V		10.41	CCD-I
2457192.20	14.56	CCD-V		10.38	CCD-I
2457200.20	14.50	CCD-V		10.32	CCD-I
2457201.20	14.53	CCD-V		10.24	CCD-I
2457206.20	14.51	CCD-V		10.34	CCD-I
2457207.20	14.45	CCD-V		10.34	CCD-I
2457215.20	14.54	CCD-V		10.33	CCD-I
2457218.20	14.29	CCD-V		10.33	CCD-I

Berto Monard / Kleinkaroo Observatory


---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus