T-Pyxidis in outburst

[michaellxv (Michael)]

Here's something different to go look at.

http://www.aavso.org/aavso-alert-notice-436

The recurrent nova T Pyxidis has been discovered in outburst. It was detected by M. Linnolt (Hawaii, United States) at a visual magnitude of 13.0 on 2011 April 14.2931 (JD 2455665.7931), and confirmed by A. Plummer (m(vis)=12.2, JD 2455665.8847) and S. Kerr (m(vis)=11.3, JD 2455665.9410). This is the first outburst of T Pyx since December 7, 1966, nearly 45 years. Observations of this rare outburster are urgently requested, beginning immediately.

[Suzy]

Ron, are you on to this one?

Thanks for the info Michael.

[Suzy]

I just realised, I was having a look at this list of SN candidates the other day which I'd bookmarked, and it shows T.Pyxis as an SN candidate to watch out for.
I got that from the chat room, sometimes we actually learn things in there.

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by Suzy

I just realised, I was having a look at this list of SN candidates the other day which I'd bookmarked, and it shows T.Pyxis as an SN candidate to watch out for.
I got that from the chat room, sometimes we actually learn things in there.

Suzy, arn't you a smart one
I thought I had seen that star mentioned in the last few days but the "Old Grey Cells" could not say where
I will try and get a look at it this weekend Weather permitting
Cheers

[CometGuy]

Thanks for the heads up Michael!

This one is brightening rapidly, latest observations have it at mag 8.8. Might go and have a look.

Terry

[Blue Skies (Jacquie)]

Wow, its finally happened! Hope Peter Lowe (MPAS) knows.

[Jen]

Originally Posted by Suzy

I got that from the chat room, sometimes we actually learn things in there.

Yes we do Suzy i just got this link from the chat room we do talk astro every now and again

[CometGuy]

Just took this image showing T Pyx April 15.465 UT. Might be useful as a finder chart for people.

As a matter of interest I estimate mag 8.2 off the image using IRIS (which I think uses the green channel from a colour image).

Terry

[michaellxv (Michael)]

Thanks Terry, that should help me find it. Will have another go at it tomorrow night. Nearly full moon does not help though.

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

Amateur spectroscopists have already started to collect some very interesting spectra!
http://astrosurf.com/buil/nova_tpyx/obs.htm
http://astroforo.net/astro/rspec/T-P...0110415-01.jpg

A great opportunity for southern observers.

[Terry B]

Very interesting. I'm on holidays at present but if it is still bright enough next week I will have a go at taking a spectrum.

[michaellxv (Michael)]

I think I have found the right place in the sky for this one. See attached sketch.

Tonight it appeared almost as bright as the adjacent star HIP44538 mag7.75

HIP44538 appears slightly redish and in comparison T-Pyx had a blue-white colour to it.

[Liz]

Great job Michael.

Moon is now full, so sky pretty light, but should be a resonable target still.

........ 'T Pyx has previously erupted in 1890, 1902, 1920, 1944, and 1967. Around mag 15.5 in quiescence, up to mag 6.4 in outburst. Co-ords are:
RA 09 04 41.50, Dec -32 22 47.5. '

Edit - this above from RobK, but more info below.
http://www.aavso.org/campaign-monito...-2011-eruption

[Rob_K]

Originally Posted by Liz

........ 'T Pyx has previously erupted in 1890, 1902, 1920, 1944, and 1967. Around mag 15.5 in quiescence, up to mag 6.4 in outburst. Co-ords are:
RA 09 04 41.50, Dec -32 22 47.5. '

from AAVSO http://www.aavso.org/campaign-monito...-2011-eruption

Hehe, I think that quote's from me Liz - I hastily scribbled it from info in VSX when the first VSNET-Alert emails came through on the 14th, before AAVSO picked up the story (they were asleep in Boston!). No dramas, just that if I stuffed it up I'd hate AAVSO to get the blame!

Cheers -

[Liz]

Originally Posted by Rob_K

Hehe, I think that quote's from me Liz - I hastily scribbled it from info in VSX when the first VSNET-Alert emails came through on the 14th, before AAVSO picked up the story (they were asleep in Boston!). No dramas, just that if I stuffed it up I'd hate AAVSO to get the blame!

Cheers -

now I feel bad!! I googled that info and it gave me the AAVSO page, so put it in, but the original was from you.
original now fixed. : )