Campaign to observe the cataclysmic variable HS 0229+8016

[Jeremy Shears]

Since launching the campaign, we are getting some very interesting data submitted which so far shows two small outbursts separated by ~9 days. In fact we are now in the third cycle. Far too early to draw any conclusions, but it certainly looks like continuous stunted outbursts or oscillations similar to what has been observed in some nova like stars. The amplitude is ~0.4 mag, between mag 13.9 and 14.3.

Many thanks to Richard Sabo, Gary Poyner, David Boyd, Dave Smith, Ian Miller, David Storey and Sjoerd Dufoer for your observations.

Keep up the good work!

Other observers would be most welcome to join in.

All the best,

Jeremy

[Jeremy Shears]

Since the campaign was launched, the star appears to have been systematically varying by ~0.4 mags every ~9 days. A light curve can be seen on the BAA VSS website, which also has a link to further details on the campaign.

There have been a few gaps in data over the last 2 weeks as poor weather conditions have hit parts of Europe and the US.

Many thanks to Richard Sabo, Gary Poyner, David Boyd, Dave Smith, Ian Miller, David Storey, Sjoerd Dufoer and Martin Mobberley for their observations.

Please do join the campaign if you would like – we need one (or two) measurements per night.

[Jeremy Shears]

An updated light curve of this variable covering the first two months of the campaign is shown on the BAA Variable Star Section website.

I’m pleased to say our efforts are paying dividends in revealing an very interesting light curve. So far we have observed 6 of its small oscillations. The 5th looks slightly different from the others in that it’s rise to max was slower.

As ever, more observations would be appreciated. It’s gratifying to see that the intensity of coverage has improved over the last month and it’s good to see new observers joining the campaign.

Very many thanks to everyone who has submitted observations so far: Richard Sabo, Ken Menzies, Gary Poyner, David Boyd, Dave Smith, Ian Miller, David Storey, Sjoerd Dufoer, Martin Mobberley, Jeremy Shears, James Boardman, George Fleming, M. Joslin.

Jeremy

[Jeremy Shears]

An updated light curve is available on the VSS website.

[Jeremy Shears]

I have updated the light curve of this star today and it is available on the VSS website.

In the 3 months of the campaign we have caught 11 of its small outbursts. There is a suggestion that they are stunted outbursts, similar to those seen in some novalike cataclysmic variables, including UU Aqr, in which only a part of the accretion disc goes into outburst.

There is also a curious larger-than-normal fade around JD 2458520 (this was present in data from several observers).

Many thanks to all out observers, the list of which has been growing steadily: Richard Sabo, Ken Menzies, Gary Poyner, David Boyd, Dave Smith, Ian Miller, David Storey, Sjoerd Dufoer, Martin Mobberley, James Boardman, George Fleming, Mel Joslin, William Kautter, Erik Schwendeman, Tamas Tordai and Mario Morales Aimar. Your data have provided a well-sample light curve which I am sure will yield useful results!

The campaign was intended to last 3 months until the end of 2019 Feb, i.e. today. Thus will the campaign is officially ended, observations would also be appreciated after this time. Since this is a circumpolar object and continues to be well positioned for most northern observers. We would like one (or a few) observations per night to define the overall outburst light curve and whether there is a quiescence period between outbursts. In the meantime I will analyse the data received to date.

A summary of what is known about the star and about the campaign is presented in the March edition of the BAA Variable Star Section Circular (page 15) which was issued today.

[Dr Paul Leyland]

I’d love to contribute but, sadly, my fork-mounted scope can’t see anything north of about 70 degrees.  The safety cut-out, quite rightly, prevents me from scraping the camera off the end of the OTA.

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