Hi Marcos and All,
As noted below, the RCB star V854 Cen may have commenced to decline (10x50mm binoculars):
CENV854 20220717.386 74 WPX
CENV854 20220724.420 73 WPX
CENV854 20220727.410 74 WPX
CENV854 20220728.432 75 WPX
CENV854 20220730.368 81 WPX
Also, the RCB star S Aps is also fainter than usual tonight and may have commenced to decline (20x80mm binoculars):
APSS 20220717.418 95 WPX
APSS 20220724.465 97 WPX
APSS 20220727.454 97 WPX
APSS 20220728.403 96 WPX
APSS 20220730.429 100 WPX
Further observations will confirm if either or both of these stars continue into a deep decline.
Tks and regards
Peter Williams
Heathcote NSW
From: 'Peter Williams' via Variable Stars South [mailto:VariableStarsSouth@googlegroups.com] Sent: Saturday, 30 July 2022 5:37 PM To: VariableStarsSouth@googlegroups.com Subject: RE: [VSS] V0854 CEN fading?
Hi Marcos,
V854 Cen is perhaps the most active of the RCB stars and would seem ready for a deep decline, if not overdue. I have noticed its SR variations having a marginally greater amplitude during June and July and that has in previous cases led to a decline onset. My most recent observation was on Thursday, July 28.432UT at magnitude 7.5. That is marginally fainter than usual and with your most recent magnitude of 7.9, it may well indicate the onset of a decline.
It will sometimes stall near magnitude 8 and return to maximum but if it goes below magnitude 8.5 then a deep decline is most likely underway.
Hopefully the twilight clouds will clear tonight!
Tks and regards
Peter Williams
From: variablestarssouth@googlegroups.com mailto:variablestarssouth@googlegroups.com [mailto:variablestarssouth@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Marcos Silva Sent: Saturday, 30 July 2022 8:03 AM To: Variable Stars South <VariableStarsSouth@googlegroups.com mailto:VariableStarsSouth@googlegroups.com > Subject: [VSS] V0854 CEN fading?
Dear VSS friends, last night i observed the RCB star V0854 Cen fainter than the comparison star of mag 7.5. I have observed it here again now and estimated the magnitude of 7.9, we have some cirrus here at the moment, so the star could be a little bit brighter (7.8 or 7.7). But it is still fainter than 7.5 and brighter than 8.2.
I'm warning you because this could be the beginning of a fading of the star.