[vsnet-chat 7303] R Hydrae possible bright maximum

[varsao at fullzero.com.ar]

In this season when most of the bright miras are displaying bright maxima (chi Cyg, R Cas, R Car), R Hya doesn't seem to be the exception.
I have noticed that the star is at V= 5.3 and it is still 2 months away form its maximum. The lightcurve shape is slightly different from the previous cycle. The bump in the ascending branch is usually more pronounced and after leaving the standstill the star rises faster again. Now the bump is less pronounced but is lasting longer. If the star fastened the brightening rate as in other cycles, this maximum might be one of the brightest in history. Checking out the AFOEV and AAVSO lightcurves I see that it got to 4.0 or so in April 1933 and to 3.9 or so in March 1924.
You can see my recent lightcurve here (including ASAS data):
http://ar.geocities.com/varsao/Curva_R_Hya.htm

My prediction is that the bump will be very long thus compensating for the too early bright state. Even then, the star is very likely to display a very bright maximum, around 4th magnitude in mid-October. If it wil be a record-breaker, we'll see.

Does someone know where the 3.5 maximum in the GCVS came from?

Cheers,
Sebastian.
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