[Date Prev][Date Next][Date Index]

(cba:news) U Gem in outburst (Joe Patterson) [2007-01-16T00:28:07Z]



Dear CBAers,

U Gem is reported to be in outburst tonight (10.7). For many years I've wanted to get long CBA light curves of the star through an eruption cycle. This is a great chance to start, since the star is well-placed now and will remain so for the next 100 days!

The main purpose is to study the shape, size, and exact location (timing) of the bright spot eclipse. As a secondary goal, it will test for the presence of superhumps (the literature is conflicting on this one) and for the presence/return of the orbital hump.

U Gem is a beautiful test object for the theory of bright spots, because the eclipse is so precisely oriented - the spot is eclipsed but not the white dwarf. Fire away!

10.7 is a bit measly for a U Gem eruption, but it may brighten... and anyway, 3.5 mag of dynamic range is plenty enough lever arm to obtain some really nice scientific results.

As you settle down to observe it, investigate the local comp stars and recommend one that most CBAers can use. I've not observed U Gem in 22 years, and my notes are long gone...

joe