I noted last evening (Dec 14/15) that SS Aur was still in the mid 14's now nearly a month after its most recent outburst. A check of the LCG indicates that it reached this brightness plateau about two weeks ago. Now I recall that this star can on rare occasions undergo prolonged weird standstills near magnitude 14.0 much like a ZCAM star in spite of its official UGSS classification. I remember as well that one such standstill many years ago lasted for quite a long period. Could current activity signal the onset of another such interval? I would definitely urge those with instruments of sufficient aperture to clearly render the star visible at its current brightness to carefully monitor SS AUR's activity level in coming weeks to see just sort of standstill we are witnessing this time.
J.Bortle (BRJ)
I note that following its recent outburst that this star returned nearly back to its normal minimum, but now once again it is experiencing some manner of active phase. Last evening I saw it at +14.3 and others report noting it as even somewhaty brighter over the past few days.
J.Bortle (BRJ)
There have been mini-eruptions like the one in spring of 13. We should keep observing and see if this situation is one of those or something more chronic. Do you know if anyone is doing spectrography?
[quote=BRJ]
Now I recall that this star can on rare occasions undergo prolonged weird standstills near magnitude 14.0 much like a ZCAM star in spite of its official UGSS classification. I remember as well that one such standstill many years ago lasted for quite a long period.
[/quote]
It does look like either a "below the middle" standstill or a "brighter than normal" minimum, based solely on the appearance of the light curve, and on what observations are available. Two important caveats. I would also like to point out AB Dra seems to have gone into a standstill period lately, with the brightness more in the middle of the range, than near the bottom. So, that would make it "more likely" to be classified as a Z Cam (though it currently is not).
Mike LMK
Hi John,
Now SS Aur is acting like it is in a standstill. Are we witnessing the first standstill of this supposed UGSS star? Or has this been seen in the past also?
Cheers,
Eddy
I would note that as of last evening (April 19.055UT) SS AUR is once again sitting at about +14.4 , or around a full magnitude above its normal brightness when not in outburst. Does this perhaps signal a return to the recent odd and rather uncharacteristic of a UGSS behavior of this star?
J.Bortle (BRJ)
I would note that as of last evening (April 19.055UT) SS AUR is once again sitting at about +14.4 , or around a full magnitude above its normal brightness when not in outburst. Does this perhaps signal a return to the recent odd and rather uncharacteristic of a UGSS behavior of this star?
J.Bortle (BRJ)
I would note that as of last evening (April 19.055UT) SS AUR is once again sitting at about +14.4 , or around a full magnitude above its normal brightness when not in outburst. Does this perhaps signal a return to the recent odd and rather uncharacteristic of a UGSS behavior of this star?
J.Bortle (BRJ)
I would note that as of last evening (April 19.055UT) SS AUR is once again sitting at about +14.4 , or around a full magnitude above its normal brightness when not in outburst. Does this perhaps signal a return to the recent odd and rather uncharacteristic of a UGSS behavior of this star?
J.Bortle (BRJ)
Time will tell. Unfortunately SS AUR will be soon in its "difficult to observe" phase.We should keep our eyes open in the late Summer and Fall I think.