Good morning,

The bright southern RCB star V854 Cen has shown a gradual fading over the past 2 weeks, suggesting the possible onset of a deep decline may have commenced.  This star was at visual magnitude 8.0 last night (May 18), a half magnitude below its normal maximum brightness.  Typically, if it fades to magnitude 8.5 it will continue onto a deep decline.  Observations over the next few days will confirm if this does indeed occur.  The previous deep decline commenced in July 2022.  Recent visual observations of V854 Cen:

CEN V854             20230427.428     75           WPX

CENV854              20230501.397     74           WPX

CENV854              20230504.422     74           WPX

CENV854              20230510.393     76           WPX

CENV854              20230512.381     76           WPX

CENV854              20230516.364     79           WPX

CENV854              20230518.448     80           WPX

Tks & regards

Peter Williams

Heathcote NSW

10x50mm binoculars