Recurrent Nova (RS Oph) in outburst

Reports indicate the recurrent nova RS Oph is in outburst. Details and charts at www.aavso.org

RS Oph is in the south-east before dawn.
Located at R.A. 17:50:13 Decl. -06:42.5 (2000).

I would be grateful to receive any estimates (even from non-IAS members!).

John O'Neill
Director
Variable Star Observer's Group

Some more details from Terry:


The recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi is currently in outburst according to an International Astronomical Union email (CBET 399) (Monday 13th). Normally at about mag 11, it is now mag 4.8 and was seen as bright as 4.5 yesterday morning by Japanese observers.

Previous recorded outbursts were in 1898, 1933, 1958, 1967 and 1985. This outburst makes it the Recurrent Nova with the most recorded outbursts. It is a morning object at the moment, and is visible low in the southeast between about 5.20 and 6.30 am to the northwest of the third magnitude star Nu Ophiuchi.

The R.A. is 17h 50m 13.3 s, Dec -06 deg 42m 29" (Epoch 2000.0). The spectrum is OB+M2ep. Maximum range is 12m.5 - 4m.3.

Nearby comparison stars are: Xi Ser = 3.5; Omicron Ser = 4.3; Mu Oph = 4.6; Zeta Oph = 4.6; Zeta Scu = 4.7; 59 Ser = 5.2; Tau Oph = 5.3; 60 Ser = 5.4.


Good luck, and clear skies,

Terry Moseley

I would be grateful to receive any estimates (even from non-IAS members!).

John O'Neill
Director
Variable Star Observer's Group

By placing it here John you are inviting responses from all readers of and posters to this board, some of whom aren't even in IFAS clubs, let alone the Dublin-based national club.

Hi,
Observed RS Oph this morning. Easy to spot in 12x36 IS binoculars out of my (open) bedroom window!

I estimated the magnitude to the nearest 0.1 but in order not to bias others here I will just say here it's 5th magnitude.

More details of the history of the star can be found at www.aavso.org under the archives of "Star of the Season/Month" for RS Oph.

Also comparison charts can found at the AAVSO site, actually the star is so bright just the (a) chart is needed.

John
VSOG

Guys, This is all so bitter sweet for me..... :shock: This star has been my 'pet' star for the last number of years, and I regularly made contributions to AAVSO, I had observed this star every weekend for the last 5!!! weeks with unusually clear weather for Ireland.

I set up on both saturday & sunday mornings just gone to have a look at RS OPH, but i was clouded out on both mornings, this outburst was detected at about 5am local time monday morning in Japan, about 8pm sunday evening here, so for all but the weather, I was soooooo close to discovering this historic outburst.....i am sick :!:

On the sweet side, i can't wait to see it up close & personal in the morning, hope it's clear, what colour was it????

I hope to get some images too if the wind and rain clear up..her is a link to a ccd image just taken monday morning...

www1.harenet.ne.jp/~aikow/etc/rs_oph_20060213.gif

Keith..

I feel your pain Keith.
It just feels like that we havent had a half decent clear night since december.
I'm just dying to get out again and get some viewing done.