khi Cyg: unusual bright minimum in 2017

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Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Mon, 08/07/2017 - 19:55

Hello everyone,

I am a recently registered observer (DHEB). I wanted to bring your attention to the last minimum of khi Cygni, in May 2017. A brief scan of the observations since the beginning of the 20th century suggests that this last minimum is possibly the brightest recorded at about 12.6 - 12.8 mag instead of the more usual ~14. Relatively bright minima occur in the late 1950's, 1910's and 1900's, but none seem to be so bright as this last one. Also, as this relatively bright minimum occurs close in time to a historically dim maximum (in 2014), which can of course be a chance occurence, adds some excitement at observing khi Cygni these times.

Best regards,

Hernán (DHEB)

Disclaimer: I started a thread on the same topic in another forum (CN) a few days ago, but I nevertheless wanted to call the attention of AAVSO members on this issue so I posted this information here as well. I sincerely hope this is not considered impolite.

 

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Affiliation
British Astronomical Association, Variable Star Section (BAA-VSS)
Re: Bright min

Hi Hernan,

The closest I could find is visual 12.76 on April 28 1902.  (J.W.L Child) This is from the BAAVSS on-line database.

http://britastro.org/vssdb/index.php

The maximum two years previous in July1900 was relatively faint at ~5.3

Gary [PYG]