Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Sat, 10/13/2012 - 13:39
After a great many years of apparently exhibiting only normal UG-like behavior (consult a LCG 5k day plot), over the past couple of observing seasons 0006-12 WW Cet, classified currently as a UGZ-type star, has shown almost continuous highly peculiar activity. The star's apparent range has dramatically contracted and it has been experiencing a series of rather dissimilar standstill-like events.
I would call attention to the fact that since mid September the star, after having fallen to an apparent minimum state in August, WW entered a new standstill-like phase with the magnitude fluctuating in the mid 13's.
J.Bortle (BRJ)
My observations are showing the same result. I observed WW Cet very early in this observing season which was around the 14.0 mag range, then faded to the 15's for a while and now back up the the 13.0 mag. range and holding. WW Cet has not had a decent outburst since it's first recorded standstill.
Rod.
Hello everyone,
There haven't been any followups to John's post since 2012, but WW Cet has continued to behave strangely since then -- in fact, it never really returned to its normal behavior since the standstill of 2010 (see Simonsen & Stubbings 2011). WW Cet is still doing strange things today, and I'd recommend plotting the long-term light curve for yourself. Plotting from the year 2000 onwards shows how striking the change is since 2010. It's as if WW Cet is a totally different star.
This star is a good target for early-morning observers. It's just coming out from behind the Sun, so if you're up before sunrise and are looking for good telescopic targets (fainter than 12th), please consider WW Cet.
Matthew