Stars for the solstice

From: Joe Patterson <*jop_at_astro.columbia.edu*> Date: Sat, 26 Dec 2009 20:45:13 -0500 · jop_at_astro.columbia.edu

Hi Tom et al.,

Yeah, I actually think KR Aur is done for the year (except in the 
unlikely event we find something next week on the 2.4 m).  With lunar 
competition, it's a total goner.  TT Ari is also off the menu, basically 
because we haven't a prayer of coming close to our earlier coverage, 
which accomplished everything we want.

With no electrifying dwarf novae now, it's a good time for the DQ Her 
star projects.  I'll give a longer summary tomorrow, but here's a short one.

Most of the DQ Hers are well placed now.  We're done with BG CMi 
(explanation coming later), and let's wait a few weeks for RX0636+35.
The other guys are definitely on the menu.  WX Pyx, Swift0732-13,
V405 Aur, HT Cam, PQ Gem (V filter only for this guy), MU Cam, and Swift 
0704+26.  YY Sex (R or I band suggested) is also good, though it's only 
a masquerading DQ Her (actually an AM Her).

In contrast to our usual practice, there's no great advantage here in 
concentrating on just one star.  I recommend studying several... and no 
need to be systematic.  Since we're trying to track the pulsed signal 
long-term, it's optimum to spread the observations around.

In general, unfiltered is best, to boost signal-to-noise.  However, you 
might want to obtain *some* observations in a V filter (along with a 
suitable comparison to permit an estimate of the CV's brightness).

Very late in the night, I recommend AM CVn - back in the sky, and ready 
for its final season in our 10-year campaign!

joe

Tom Krajci wrote:
> KR Aur is so faint, that I'm not eager to try and cover it for the next 
> 11 days or so...until the moon is close to 3rd quarter.
> 
> What targets should I cover instead?  TT Ari?  What morning target(s)?
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> Tom Krajci
> 