[BAA 00212] OJ287 Observing Campaign

[Rick]

BAA electronic circular No. 00212

I'm very grateful to Gary Poyner for compiling the following note:-

The BAA Variable Star Section is currently running an observing campaign in conjunction with Dr. Mark Kidger (Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias), to observe the predicted 2006 outburst of the suspected Recurrent binary Black Hole candidate OJ+287.  The campaign will last until the end of 2006 at least, and will probably extend well into 2007.

Observers - both visual & CCD - are invited to participate in this interesting Pro-Am observing project.  The observations are being co-ordinated by Gary Poyner, who will collate and report observations to the central database set up by Dr. Kidger.  

Please contact Gary Poyner at garypoyner at blueyonder dot co dot uk for details on how to report observations.

Two web-sites have been set up for the campaign.  Dr. Kidger provides some history of previous campaigns to observe this fascinating object, and includes interesting information on the physical qualities of OJ+287 at...

http://www.astrosurf.com/comets/cometas/OJ287/cuasars.html

The BAAVSS have a light curve of observations, updated at least once per week, and a link to finder charts at...

http://www.garypoyner.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/oj_camp.html

OJ+287 is currently active - varying slightly around magnitude 14.0, and is an early morning object in Cancer.  The outburst magnitude is expected to be brighter than the current level.  Observers not familiar with Variable Star work are asked to pay particular attention to the field in which OJ+287 lies.  The area is notorious for Minor Planet incursions, which can cause confusion when attempting to identify the field for the first time.

Roger Pickard
Director VSS