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(cba:news) stars for mid_january (Joe Patterson) [2010-01-10T22:23:47Z]


Dear CBAers,

Time for some target changes. We've been conducting a long campaign on XSS0056+45, and by now all the periods (spin, orbit, various sidebands and harmonics) are well specified - and over a 54-day baseline. These periods will only slightly tune up from now on - so let's usher XSS off the stage.

Likewise for RX0704+26. David Boyd sent a few nights of European data, breaking the alias, and steady coverage from Mike Potter, Bob Koff, and Tom Krajci has extended the baseline and enabled a cycle count going back to discovery 5 years ago. Even a comparison of X-ray and optical phases. So, again, all the period-finding is done... and, unless the star decides to erupt or fade or otherwise surprise, let's end the campaign.

These winter campaigns on DQ Hers are going well; let's keep going!
An evening pulse-timer target we haven't observed in several years is V709 Cas; it would be awfully good to get some late-season timings. The period is 312 seconds, so keep cycle times below ~80 s. The other stars are suitable for pulse-timing too, but their favorable placement in the sky makes them suitable for longer runs (which give better timings, and also can reveal other periods): these are HT Cam, Swift 0732-13, DW Cnc, and WX Pyx. All good targets. Plus EI UMa = PG0834+48; somehow we've never done a campaign on that one, but some fair evidence has emerged that suggests its identity as a DQ Her. Let's find out!

Finally, there are the two AM CVn stars on our long-term list: ES Cet in the evening sky, and AM CVn in the morning. Not quite the right season, but good investments in the evening and morning.

I'm back in NYC now, and good heavens, beginning a sabbatical! I should have much more time for science and CBA biz this year.

joe