R Aqr observations needed urgently

In Alert Notice 665, I said that R Aqr "is moving too close to the Sun to observe from the Northern hemisphere". I should not have said "moving too close", as the Northern season for R Aqr is just starting, not ending. The point is that R Aqr is too close to the Sun for Northern observers right now to observe without great difficulty, but easier for Southern observers as their nights are growing longer. I have edited the online version of the Alert Notice. My apologies for the error, and my thanks to Brian Skiff for letting me know.

Good observing,

Elizabeth

AAVSO Alert Notice 689 announces observations of R Aqr scheduled with HST and Chandra at the request of Dr. Margarita Karovska. Photometry and spectroscopy are urgently requested. Please see the notice for details and observing instructions.

Many thanks, and Good observing,

Elizabeth O. Waagen, AAVSO HQ

The exact schedules for the Chandra and HST observations of R Aqr (Alert Notice 689) are as follow:

Chandra (UT)  Note that this date is EARLIER than given in Alert Notice 689.
12 Jan 2020 00:13:21.409 - 12 Jan 2020 14:06:41

HST (times are UT)
13 Jan 2020 03:54:33 - 13 Jan 2020 04:48:21
13 Jan 2020 08:40:40 - 13 Jan 2020 09:34:54
14 Jan 2020 02:09:47 - 14 Jan 2020 03:58:31

Please see the Alert Notice for the cadence of observations before, during, and after the satellite observations.

Many thanks, and Good observing,

Elizabeth

Dear Observers,

If you have observations of R Aqr from the past week that you have not yet submitted, please do so as soon as possible. An astronomer needs to see the most recent data for a time-dependent observing proposial he is writing now.

Thanks,

Elizabeth

Hi Observers,

B observations are needed along with V and R - the B is very important as it relates to the activity of the white dwarf in the system. Thanks to those observers who have been able to observe in B - please continue if you possibly can!

Many thanks,

Elizabeth

AAVSO Alert Notice 696 announces an urgent, renewed (with modifications for B observations) request for observations of R Aqr, particularly for B photometry. Please see the notice for details and observing instructions.

Many thanks, and Good observing,

Elizabeth O. Waagen, AAVSO HQ

Hi Elizabeth,

I have been following R Aqr over many weeks, but now the season has ended for my remote location in Chile. Last observations are done Jan. 28 when the stars was at airmass about 2.15.

Josch