[Vsnet-alert 8441] New variable in Norma, a likely CV

[Berto Monard]

Dear readers,

Under open skies and windy conditions I was able to follow up on the new variable discovered by the ASAS project and reported by Grzegorz Pojmanski.


* Filtered CCD observations gave the following magnitudes for this object:

ASAS 160048-4846.2   20050609.867   12.55 Rc
ASAS 160048-4846.2   20050609.869   12.75 V

The new object is possibly the bluest star in the observed MW star field, a region that seems to be reddened. 


* Astrometry vs the UCAC2 frame gave the (2000) position

16 00 47.43 -48 46 07.6  (+/- 0.25 arcsec)

which is located very close to the following star:
USNO-B1 /  0412-0480751 @ 16:00:47.4933 -48:46:05.330   0.00  15.42  17.88  15.68  15.06
USNO-A2.0 /  16 00 47.475  -48 46 05.43  0375-26195707        17.9  15.7
2Mass  / 16 00 47.45  -48 46 05.0  13.460  12.746  12.438

Considering the positional uncertainties, this star is hereby proposed as the probable quiescent counterpart.


* Six hours of timeseries unfiltered photometry (until clouds came) showed an initial large hump in the light curve, which gradually was replaced by smaller humps and a general fading trend. 
It is possible that this apparent fading is part of a modulation and that further activity will show.
  

I think that we haven't seen the end of it and that follow up observations will be rewarding.


Regards from a chilly Africa...,

Berto Monard 
Bronberg Observatory / CBA Pretoria