December 15, 2006
Coordinates: 03:31:11.82 +43:54:16.8 (2000.0)
Recent observations of the old nova intermediate polar magnetic catclysmic variable GK Per (Nova Per 1901) show the star brighter than minimum. However, it is too early to tell if an outburst is underway.
It is only slightly over two years since its last minor outburst - the usual interval is three years or more. However, the last rise to maximum was highly anomalous, taking over two months instead of the usual one month to reach maximum. Thus, it is possible that the next outburst might not occur at the usual interval.
The pattern of dwarf nova outbursts in GK Per has been quite stable since the 1981 outburst, so the change in behavior in the September 2004 outburst may be significant.
Recent observations submitted to the AAVSO include:
Dec. 11.0035 UT, 13.1, J. Bortle, USA;
11.9903, 13.1, S. Swiercznski, Poland;
12.0764, 13.1, E. Muyllaert, Belgium;
12.7778, 12.8, K. Wenzel, Germany;
12.8326, 13.0, J. Speil, Poland;
12.8680, 12.8, P. Schmeer, Germany;
13.0708, 12.7, A. Dill, USA;
13.2181, 12.2, R. Stine, USA;
13.7639, 12.9, J. Ripero, Spain;
13.8860, 12.6, Schmeer;
14.0340, 12.5, Dill;
14.0486, 12.4, C. Chiselbrook, USA;
14.3236, 12.5, M. Linnolt, USA;
14.7190, 12.4, Schmeer;
14.7257, 12.5, Wenzel;
14.7431, 12.9, Speil;
14.7708, 12.6, W. Kriebel, Germany;
14.9757, 12.3, Bortle;
14.9917, 12.6, Swierczynski;
15.2674, <11.9, K. Hutton, USA;
15.2972, 12.4, Linnolt;
15.8542, 12.4, Wenzel.
Charts: AAVSO 'd' and 'e' charts and Henden/Sumner sequence/photometry information may be found at:
obsolete link [http://www.aavso.org/cgi-bin/searchcharts3.pl?name=gk%20per]
2016 link: https://www.aavso.org/vsp
Please keep a close eye on GK Per and report your observations to the AAVSO.
Many thanks for your astronomical contributions.
Good observing,
Elizabeth Waagen
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