Alert Notice 159: Minor Outburst of 0324+43 GK Persei (Nova Per 1901) AND 1221+09 Supernova in NGC 4411B

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF VARIABLE STAR OBSERVERS
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AAVSO ALERT NOTICE 159 (July 7, 1992)

MINOR OUTBURST OF 0324+43 GK PERSEI (NOVA PER 1901)

This old nova of 1901 is having another minor outburst, as indicated by the following observations: July 3.31 UT, 12.3 (J. Bortle, Stormville, NY); 3.33, 12.7 (G. Dyck, Assonet, MA); 4.38, 12.3 (M. Adams, Melbourne, FL); 5.38, 12.1 (Adams); 6.38, 11.8 (Adams); 7.30, 11.8 (Bortle); 7.33 (Dyck);. John Bortle, who caught GK Per going up, shares his experience with us, saying that he was observing comets early on the morning of July 3 and decided to look at GK Per, and he discovered it in outburst. This discovery is his fourth of the minor outbursts of GK Per. Gerry Dyck's discovery of this outburst was independent.

Since 1966, GK Per has had 10 minor outbursts. The information on the previous minor outbursts, giving dates and magnitudes of maxima, is listed below in Table 1. An AAVSO optical light curve of the two most recent outbursts is also below. For information on the previous outbursts, see AAVSO Alert Notices 87 and 113.

A group of theoretical astronomers from the University of Texas are particularly interested in GK Per, and have requested observers to keep a very close eye on this outburst. Please monitor GK Per in the early morning sky as closely as possible and call in your observations to Headquarters. The answering machine (617-354-0484) in on nights and weekends for your convenience.

Table 1. Previous Minor Outbursts of GK Per

Year   JD(max)      Mag(max)
1966   2439362     10.9
1967   2439760     11.9
1970   2440878     10.9
1973   2441701     12.0
1975   2442456     10.5
1978   2443695     12.5
1981   2444679     10.4
1983   2445561     10.3
1986   2446777     10.3
1989   2447760     10.3

image: LIGHTCURVE OF GK PER 2446600-2448000

1221+09 SUPERNOVA IN NGC 4411B

Below are recent observations of the supernova in NGC 4411B (see AAVSO Alert Notice 158): July 3.09 UT, 13.6 (M. Adams, Melbourne, FL); 3.11, 13.5 (B. WIlson, Houston, TX); 3.11, 13.5 (P. Sventek, Houston, TX); 6.19, 13.5: photovisual (R. Royer, Wrightwood, CA).

Many thanks  for your efforts and valuable observations. Good observing!

Janet A. Mattei
Director

files: light curve of GK Per

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