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Observing Campaigns - obsolete

This Observing Campaigns page has been discontinued as of July 31, 2017.

For information on AAVSO-related observing campaigns, please read the Alert Notices linked to from here: https://www.aavso.org/aavso-alert-notices-for-observing-campaigns-and-discoveries

The targets of observing campaigns are included in the Alerts/Campaigns list of the AAVSO Target Tool, which may be accessed here:

 

 

Jump to current observing campaigns
Jump to completed observing campaigns

[Note: if you are seeking confirmation of what you believe is a recent discovery, please do not use the contact link on this page -- go to this page on reporting potential discoveries instead.  For general inquiries, please use our Contact form and select "General Observing" as the subject.  Thank you!]

AAVSO Observing Campaigns are special projects concentrating on one star or a number of stars for a given researcher and for a specific research program.  Campaigns are designed to obtain a specific set of data or fulfill a specific research objective, and should be (a) within the capabilities of a significant number of AAVSO observers, and (b) last for a finite length of time.

The AAVSO will issue a call for observations at its discretion, but any well-justified program is eligible for AAVSO support.  If you have questions about establishing an AAVSO Observing Campaign, or if you believe your research program would benefit from the participation of the AAVSO observer community, please contact the AAVSO Campaign Coordinator.  The AAVSO can assist with campaigns beyond announcing them; if your project requires substantial assistance of AAVSO staff, we may request grant support for staff activities.  Also, please consider becoming a member if you are not one already!

[Note: if you are inquiring about establishing your own personal observing program, about observations in general, or in learning more about the AAVSO and its data, please use our general Contact form.]

For Observers: Please read the requests for observations in full, and use your own best judgement as to whether your equipment and abilities are well-matched to the specific project.  When in doubt please contact the researcher directly, or contact AAVSO HQ for guidance and recommendations.  If you are an instrumental observer, we strongly recommend that you calibrate your data and transform all photometry to a standard system!  For some projects this will be required, but it is good practice in general. 

Please visit our observer resources page to find our Visual and CCD observing manuals, guides to photometry, and other tools to help you assess whether a campaign is a good match for you!

For Researchers: Any research effort requires focused and enthusiastic leadership, and the leader of the observing campaign should be you, the researcher.  The more you interact with the observer community, the more likely it is that you will attract observers and obtain good data.  Ideally, the AAVSO's role is merely to issue a call for observations, establish communications between you and the observers, and coordinate the collection of data; your role should be to motivate and encourage observers who participate in your work, analyze the data, and publish the results.  It is required that the work of observers be properly recognized; if any individual observers contribute data that are critically important to the research, we strongly encourage you to offer coauthorship to the observers on any resulting papers.

Please visit our Research portal to find more information about how the AAVSO and its observers can aid you in your research.

 

Current observing campaigns

Long-term CCD monitoring of ER UMa-type variable DDE 48 in Vulpecula, issued 21 July 2017

  • Requested by: Denis Denisenko (Sternberg Astronomical Institute, Moscow State University)
  • Requested duration: 2017 July 21 - October 31
    Purpose of request: Establishing the supercycle length and outburst pattern, and measuring the orbital and superhump periods
    Magnitude of object: V = 15.4-19.0
  • Related information: Alert Notice 588

Observations of FI Vir (Ross 128) needed this week, issued 17 July 2017

  • Requested by: Dr. Abel Méndez (University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo)
  • Requested duration: 2017 July 17 - 21
  • Purpose of request: V and R photometry to monitor status following multi-site radio observations
  • Magnitude of object: V~11.2
  • Related information: Alert Notice 587

Status of 20 cataclysmic variables needed for WHT campaign, issued 7 July 2017

  • Requested by: Roque Ruiz-Carmona (Ph.D. candidate, Institute of Mathematics,
    Astrophysics and Particle Physics, Radboud University Nijmegen,
    The Netherlands)
  • Requested duration: 2017 July 9 - 11
  • Purpose of request: images (no magnitudes) to ascertain status of 20 potential WHT targets
  • Magnitude of object: 20 targets approximately 8 - 20 V
  • Related information: Alert Notice 586

Monitoring of Evryscope targets requested for follow-up, issued 30 June 2017

  • Requested by: Dr. Octavi Fors (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) and
    colleagues
  • Requested duration: 2017 June 30 through 2017
  • Purpose of request: V photometry to study debris/planetesimal transits of exoplanets and/or variability
  • Magnitude of object: 8 targets between 11.21V and 13.4V
  • Related information: Alert Notice 585

Monitoring of PDS 110 requested to cover upcoming eclipse by exoplanet, issued 21 June 2017

  • Requested by:  Dr. Joey Rodriguez (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics), Dr. Hugh Osborn (University of Warwick), Dr. Matthew Kenworth (Leiden Observatory), and colleagues
  • Requested duration: 2017 June 21 through October
  • Purpose of request: Photometry to monitor eclipse of large, probably-ringed exoplanet
  • Magnitude of object: V=10.40
  • Related information: Alert Notice 584

Photometry requested for Red Dots campaign, issued 16 June 2017

  • Requested by:  John Strachan (Queen Mary University of London) and Dr. Guillem
    Anglada-Escude (Queen Mary University of London)
  • Requested duration: 2017 June 15 through October 5
  • Purpose of request: V photometry to support search for exoplanets around red M-dwarfs in the solar neighborhood
  • Magnitude of objects: V=10.50 (GJ729=V1216 Sgr), V=11.13 (Proxima Centauri=V645 Cen), V=9.51 (Barnard’s star=V2500 Oph)
  • Related information: Alert Notice 583

Nova Oph 2017 photometry requested for Swift TOO observations, issued 15 June 2017

  • Requested by:  Drs. Frederick Walter (Stony Brook University) and Paul Kuin (University College London) and colleagues
  • Requested duration: 2017 June 15 through June 25
  • Purpose of request: VBRI photometry to support TOO observations of expected major dust event
  • Magnitude of object: V=15.6
  • Related information: Alert Notice 582

Monitoring HD 148703 for upcoming eclipses, issued 8 June 2017

  • Requested by:  Dr. Milena Ratajczak (University of Wrocław)
  • Requested duration: 2017 June 8 through June 17
  • Purpose of request: observe primary and secondary eclipses and out-of-eclipse behavior
  • Magnitude of object: V=4.23
  • Related information: Alert Notice 581

Spectroscopy of V694 Mon (continuation of campaign Observations of V694 Mon (MWC 560) requested for Chandra campaign, issued 26 February 2016), issued 2 May 2017

  • Requested by: Adrian Lucy (graduate student, Columbia University) and Dr. Jeno Sokoloski (Columbia University)
  • Requested duration: 2016 Feb 26 through April 30; continued in 2017 until further notice
  • Purpose of request: REVISED from photometry in support of Chandra observations to spectroscopy to study changes in disk outflow
  • Magnitude of object: V=8.8-12.7
  • Related information: Alert Notice 538, Special Notice 429

Monitoring of Swift J1357.2-0933 (CRTS J135716.8-093238) requested, issued 28 April 2017

  • Requested by: Dr. Gregory Sivakoff (University of Alberta)
  • Requested duration: UBV nightly observations (also higher frequency) until target too faint for instrumentation
  • Purpose of request: complement photometry from other sources as black hole outburst fades
  • Magnitude of object: currently U ~15.2, B and V ~16.2; V~22.3 at quiescence
  • Related information: Alert Notice 575

Monitoring of EPIC 204278916 requested, issued 25 April 2017

  • Requested by: Dr. Carlo Manara (ESA Science and Technology SCI-S, the Netherlands) and colleagues
  • Requested duration: nightly V and weekly B observations until further notice (higher cadence if dimming detected)
  • Purpose of request: search for dimmings and follow up on any detected
  • Magnitude of object: R=13.90, V=14.8, and B=15.7; dimmings ~0.5 - 1.2 mag in V
  • Related information: Alert Notice 574

V2492 Cyg monitoring requested in support of XMM-Newton observations, issued 6 April 2017

  • Requested by: Dr. Nicolas Grosso (CNRS, Observatoire Astronomique de Strasbourg)
  • Requested duration: nightly through April 30, then weekly through December 2017
  • Purpose of request: observe outburst and monitor subsequent activity
  • Magnitude of object: V=13.5-20
  • Related information: Alert Notice 573

AG Dra monitoring requested, issued 3 April 2017

  • Requested by: Dr. Rudolf Gális (Pavel Jozef Šafárik University (Slovakia)) and colleagues
  • Requested duration: until further notice
  • Purpose of request: detect and observe anticipated outburst of AG Dra
  • Magnitude of object: V~7.9-10.3
  • Related information: Alert Notice 572

Observations Requested of Exoplanet Proxima Centauri b, issued 16 March 2017

  • Requested by: Dr. Karen Collins (Vanderbilt University)
  • Requested duration: now through 2017 or as determined by investigator
  • Purpose of request: detect and observe transits of exoplanet Proxima Centauri b
  • Magnitude of object: V~11.1-11.3
  • Related information: Alert Notice 571

Beta Pic observations requested for BRITE-Constellation, issued 31 January 2017

  • Requested by: AAVSO and Dr. Konstanze Zwintz (Universitaet Innsbruck) and colleagues
  • Requested duration: now through 2017-2018 observing season
  • Purpose of request: High-precision BVR time-series to detect and observe Hill sphere transit of bet Per's planet; spectroscopy also welcome
  • Magnitude of object: 3.80-3.86 V
  • Related information: Alert Notice 566

Monitoring of V2487 Oph requested, issued 4 October 2016

  • Requested by: Dr. Ashley Pagnotta (Louisiana State University)
  • Requested duration: now until recurrent nova outburst occurs, declines, and target has been back at minimum 2 weeks
  • Purpose of request: 1x-2x nightly and then multicolor fast time-series BVRI to detect outburst and monitor it back to minimum; in support of ToO observations during outburst
  • Magnitude of object: V=17.5 at minumum, as bright as V=9.5 in outburst
  • Related information: Alert Notice 556

Campaign on V1687 Cyg (WR 140), issued 9 August 2016, 3 August 2016

  • Requested by: Dr. Noel Richardson (University of Toledo) and colleagues
  • Requested duration: until at least August 2017
  • Purpose of request: optical photometry in support of multi-wavelength campaign studying dust as system passes through periastron
  • Magnitude of object: V~6.7
  • Related information: Alert Notice 546, Special Notice #419

CH Cygni B and V photometry urgently requested,  issued 3 June 2016 (associated with campaign in Alert Notice issued 9 January 2013 and Special Notices issued 11 September 2012, 23 March 2012, 2 March 2012)

Observations requested for KIC 08462852, issued 8 April 2016, 20 October 2015

  • Requested by: AAVSO HQ
  • Requested duration: through 2016 at least; extended through 2017
  • Purpose of request: Multicolor time-series photometry to determine nature of variability
  • Magnitude of object: V=11.88
  • Related information: Alert Notice 532, Alert Notice 542

R Aqr observing campaign, issued 19 January 2016

  • Requested by: Dr. George Wallerstein (University of Washington), Dr. Lee Anne Willson (Iowa State University), Dr. Ulisse Munari (INAF, Observatory of Padua, Italy), Dr. Fred Walter (Stony Brook Univeristy)
    London) and colleagues in the Swift Nova group
  • Requested duration: 19 January 2016 through 2022
  • Purpose of request: multicolor and visual photometry in support of spectroscopy and to monitor behavior throughout eclipse lasting several years
  • Magnitude of object: V=11.4 on 2016 January 18
  • Related information: Alert Notice 535

Monitoring of the symbiotic variable RT Cru, updated 15 December 2015, 30 October 2015, issued 6 August 2014

  • Requested by: Dr. Margarita Karovska (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics)
  • Requested duration: EXTENDED through 2016-2017 observing season (Chandra observations took place November 2015)
  • Purpose of request: BV photometry and visual observations requested in support of Chandra observations
  • Magnitude of object: 112-12.6 V; 12.09 V on 2015 October 18
  • Related information: Alert Notice 503, Special Notice #409, Special Notice #411

Very rare outburst of the symbiotic variable AG Peg, issued 23 June 2015

  • Requested by: AAVSO
  • Requested duration: 23 June 2015 until object returns to minimum
  • Purpose of request: Monitor optical behavior of first outburst in 140-150 years
  • Magnitude of objects: 7.2 visual as of 23 June 2015
  • Related information: Alert Notice 521

Observations of 2MASS J06593158-0405277 needed, issued 15 April 2015

  • Requested by: Dr. Fabienne A. Bastien (Hubble Postdoctoral Fellow, Pennsylvania
    State University)
  • Requested duration: At least through 2016-2017 observing season (15 April 2015 through 31 May 2015 concluded)
  • Purpose of request: Multicolor photometry and visual observations to track optical behavior and to correlate with spectroscopic observations
  • Magnitude of object: V=11.4, K=7.6
  • Related information: Alert Notice 518

RW Aur monitoring requested, issued 24 March 2015

  • Requested by: Dr. Hans Moritz Guenther (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, formerly at Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics)
  • Requested duration: CONTINUED THROUGH 2017 (24 March 2015 - mid-2015 concluded)
  • Purpose of request: Nightly multiband photometry and visual observations in support of Chandra X-ray observations
  • Magnitude of object: ~12.6 V
  • Related information: Alert Notice 514, Special Notice #402

Epsilon Aur monitoring during predicted pulsation phase, issued 17 September 2014

  • Requested by: Dr. Robert Stencel (University of Denver Astronomy Program)
  • Requested duration: now through 2017 season at least
  • Purpose of request: follow-up to earlier requests for CCD/PEP/DSLR V (and UBR) photometry to determine if out-of-eclipse light variations have begun and to monitor them
  • Magnitude of object: ~3.0 V, eclipses ~0.05-0.1 mag
  • Related information: Alert Notice 504

Monitoring of CH Cyg in support of HST and Chandra observations, issued 9 January 2013, 11 September 2012, 23 March 2012, 2 March 2012

T Tauri stars observing campaign,  issued 10 April 2013, 7 November 2012, 6 November 2012

  • Requested by: Darryl Sergison (University of Exeter)
  • Requested duration: EXTENDED through 2017 at least
  • Purpose of request: visual observations, multiband photometry, and spectroscopy requested
  • Magnitude of object: differs by target, collectively ~ 9-14 visually
  • Related information: Alert Notice 473, Special Notice #306, Observing Campaigns Update in AAVSO Newsletter 56

Monitoring of S Dor in support of multiwavelength campaign, issued 10 September, 9 May, 23 February 2012

  • Requested by: Dr. Noel Richardson (Georgia State University)
  • Requested duration: through 2012-2013 observing season at least (campaign extended through 2017 observing season)
  • Purpose of request: Support of spectroscopy from HST, CTIO, SOAR, amateur, and photometry from Gemini
  • Magnitude of object: V=9.2 at maximum, currently fading and at V=10.4
  • Related information: Alert Notice 453, Special Notice #280, Special Notice #293, and S Doradus Telegram on organizer's website

Monitoring of J1407 (1SWASP J140747.93-394542.6) for next extrasolar ring system transit, issued 25 June 2012

  • Requested by: Dr. Eric Mamajek (Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory and University of Rochester)
  • Requested duration: extended through 2016-17 observing season at least
  • Purpose of request: Determine eclipse behavior of transiting ringed substellar companion
  • Magnitude of object: V=12.3
  • Related information: Alert Notice 462

PEP Observing Campaign on P Cygni , issued 17 May 2011

Photometry of HMXBs, issued regularly as needed, latest issued 2010 October 20

Monitoring of blazars for VERITAS, XMM, and ground-based followup, issued 2007 July 11

Requested by: Dr. Markus Boettcher (Ohio University)

  • Requested duration: Open-ended
  • Purpose of request: Nightly monitoring
  • Magnitude of object: varies by object (V=12 to V=19)
  • Related information: Alert Notice 353

Long-term photometry of QX Puppis, issued 2008 February 1

  • Requested by: Dr. Arne Henden (AAVSO)
  • Requested duration: Open-ended
  • Purpose of request: Long-term monitoring in Rc, V, Ic, and B filters
  • Magnitude of object: Ic=12.5-14.5
  • Related information: AAVSO information page

Photometry of the eclipsing binary Epsilon Aurigae, issued 2009 July 10 - campaign officially ended but observations still encouraged

  • Requested by: AAVSO (Citizen Sky), Jeff Hopkins (HPO), and Dr. Robert Stencel (U. Denver)
  • Requested duration: Through 2011; EXTENDED AT LEAST THROUGH 2017
  • Purpose of request: Long-term monitoring during two-year eclipse
  • Magnitude of object: V=2.9-4.0
  • Related information: Alert Notice 398, Citizen Sky, and Hopkins' International Epsilon Aurigae Campaign 2009 website

Monitoring the recurrent nova T Pyx throughout 2011 eruption - campaign officially ended but observations still encouraged

 

Recently completed observing campaigns

NR TrA (Nova TrA 2008) monitoring in support of XMM observations, issued 7 March 2017

  • Requested by: Dr. Fred Walter (Stony Brook University)
  • Requested duration: now through 21 March 2017
  • Purpose of request: time series to support XMM observations
  • Magnitude of object: V~16.5 out of eclipse
  • Related information: Alert Notice 570

Monitoring 1SWASP J162117.36+441254.2 for HST observations, issued 15 February 2017

  • Requested by: Dr. Elmé Breedt (University of Warwick)
  • Requested duration: now through March 2017
  • Purpose of request: nightly V snapshots to support COS observations by determining status of target to protect HST instrumentation and monitor brightness
  • Magnitude of object: V~15.6 at minimum, V~13.1 at maximum
  • Related information: Alert Notice 569

IM Nor monitoring requested for HST COS observations, issued 10 February 2017

  • Requested by: Dr. Ed Sion (Villanova University) and colleagues
  • Requested duration: now through 20 February 2017
  • Purpose of request: nightly V snapshots to support HST COS observations by determining status of target to protect HST instrumentation and monitor brightness
  • Magnitude of object: V~18.5 at minimum, V~8.5 at maximum
  • Related information: Alert Notice 567

YZ Cnc Chandra observing campaign, issued 25 January 2017, 23 January, 2017, 19 December 2016

  • Requested by: Dr. Christian Knigge (University of Southampton) and colleagues
  • Requested duration: now through 2017 observing season (until concluded by PI)
  • Purpose of request: visual and V photometry in support of Chandra TOO observations
  • Magnitude of object: V~11.0-14.8
  • Related information: Alert Notice 565, Special Notice #427, Special Notice #428

Observations of CI Cam needed to support spectroscopy, issued 19 October 2016

  • Requested by: Kelly Gourdji and Marcella Wijngaarden  (University of Amsterdam/Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy)
  • Requested duration: now through January 2017
  • Purpose of request: Nightly BVRI (and other bands) photometry in support of high-resolution spectroscopy
  • Magnitude of object: V=9.5-11.9
  • Related information: Alert Notice 559

21 cataclysmic variables to be observed by William Herschel Telescope, issued 12 December 2016

  • Requested by: Roque Ruiz-Carmona (Ph.D. candidate, Institute of Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands)
  • Requested duration: 14-16 December 2016
  • Purpose of request: Snapshot images on two nights to determine status of systems in order to determine final WHT target list
  • Magnitude of objects: various, ~ 14.9V-20.9CV in quiescence, ~ 8.2V-16.4CV in outburst
  • Related information: Alert Notice 564

Observations requested for b Per December 2016 eclipse, issued 2 December 2016

  • Requested by: Dr. Donald F. Collins (Swannanoa, NC)
  • Requested duration: December 8 - 22, 2016
  • Purpose of request: create pre- and post-eclipse baseline light curve and detect predicted eclipse of components AB by component C
  • Magnitude of object: 4.52 V
  • Related information: Alert Notice 563

V725 Tau photometry needed immediately, issued 15 November 2016

  • Requested by: Dr. Franco Giovannelli (Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia
    Spaziali di Roma)
  • Requested duration: now through 2 December 2016
  • Purpose of request: provide optical coverage of periastron passage to detect optical brightening in order to plan for X-ray outburst that follows 8 days later
  • Magnitude of object: V~8.6-9.5
  • Related information: Alert Notice 562

FO Aqr time-series observations requested, issued 9 November 2016, 13 July 2016

  • Requested by: Dr. Colin Littlefield (University of Notre Dame) and colleagues
  • Requested duration: now until system returns to normal or goes behind the Sun
  • Purpose of request: to study multiple periods and their evolution as FO Aqr returns to max
  • Magnitude of object: V~13.4 at max, V~15 as of 13 July
  • Related information: Alert Notice 545, Special Notice #425

CI Aql monitoring needed to support HST observations, issued 19 October 2016

  • Requested by: Dr. Edward Sion (Villanova University)
  • Requested duration: now through November 12, 2016
  • Purpose of request: 1x-2x nightly to determine magnitude 24 hours before HST observations to protect HST instrumentation
  • Magnitude of object: V=16-16.5 at minumum, as bright as V=8.5 in outburst
  • Related information: Alert Notice 558

Observations of V420 Aur (HD 34921) needed to support spectroscopy, issued 4 October 2016, 3 October 2016

  • Requested by: Marcella Wijngaarden and Kelly Gourdji (University of Amsterdam/Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy)
  • Requested duration: now through 24 October 2016
  • Purpose of request: BVRI (and other bands) photometry in support of high-resolution spectroscopy
  • Magnitude of object: V=7.35-7.51
  • Related information: Alert Notice 554, Alert Notice 555 (name correction to AN554)

GDS_J1701281-430612 monitoring for HST observations, issued 30 September 2016, 20 September 2016

  • Requested by: Dr. Mark Reynolds (University of Michigan) and colleagues
  • Requested duration: now through late October 2016
  • Purpose of request: VRI photometry in support of HST/COS observations
  • Magnitude of object: ~15.2-16.2 R  (V-R~0)
  • Related information: Alert Notice 551, Special Notice #422

Gaia16aye microlensing event monitoring urgently requested, issued 20 September 2016

  • Requested by: Dr. Kirill Sokolovsky (National Observatory of Athens and Sternberg Astronomical Institute, Moscow State University)
  • Requested duration: now through the end of October 2016 (or until further notice)
  • Purpose of request: Multicolor photometry to monitor microlensing event
  • Magnitude of object: ~14-16 V
  • Related information: Alert Notice 552

RX And Chandra observing campaign, issued 1 September 2016

  • Requested by: Dr. Christian Knigge (University of Southampton) and colleagues
  • Requested duration: now through 2016 observing season (until concluded by PI)
  • Purpose of request: visual and V photometry in support of Chandra TOO observations
  • Magnitude of object: V~11.1-14.1
  • Related information: Alert Notice 549

AR Sco observing campaign, issued 18 August 2016

  • Requested by: Dr. Thomas Marsh (University of Warwick) and colleagues
  • Requested duration: now through 2016 September 12
  • Purpose of request: fast-cadence optical photometry in support of XMM observations
  • Magnitude of object: V~13.6-14.8
  • Related information: Alert Notice 548

Dwarf novae observations requested for VLA campaign, issued 5 July 2016, 1 March 2016

  • Requested by: Ms. Deanne Coppejans (PhD candidate, Radboud University Nijmegen (Netherlands) and University of Cape Town) and colleagues
  • Requested duration: now through June 2016; RX And through July 2016 at least
  • Purpose of request: to know quiescence/outburst status of each target at time of VLA observations
  • Magnitude of object: range differs for each target (RX And 10.8-15.5vis, U Gem 8.9vis-15.4V, YZ Cnc 10.4vis-15.7V, SU UMa 10.9-14.9vis, Z Cam 10.4-13.8vis)
  • Related information: Alert Notice 539, Special Notice #418

20 cataclysmic variables to be observed by William Herschel Telescope, issued 25 May 2016, 24 May 2016

  • Requested by: Roque Ruiz-Carmona (Ph.D. candidate, Institute of Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands)
  • Requested duration:23 -25 May 2016; EXTENDED THROUGH MAY 27
  • Purpose of request: Snapshot images on two nights to determine status of systems in order to determine final WHT target list
  • Magnitude of objects: various, V~17-21 in quiescence, V~12-18 in outburst
  • Related information: Alert Notice 543, Special Notice #416

SS Cygni monitoring requested for radio campaign, issued 5 April 2016, 8 February 2016

  • Requested by: Dr. James Miller-Jones (International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia)
  • Requested duration: before, during, and after next outburst in 2016
  • Purpose of request: Support of e-MERLIN and AMI-LA radio observations
  • Magnitude of object: V=12 in quiescence, V=8-9 in outburst
  • Related information: Alert Notice 536, Special Notice #414

Observations of a secondary eclipse of b Persei requested, issued 26 February 2016, 10 March 2016

  • Requested by: Dr. Donald Collins (Swannanoa, NC), Dr. Robert Zavala (US Naval Observatory, Flagstaff Station), and Jason Sanborn
    (Lowell Observatory)
  • Requested duration: before, during, and after eclipse predicted for 2016 March 7 +/- 1 week
  • Purpose of request: detection of secondary eclipse of the third star of the system by the other two stars in the system
  • Magnitude of object: V=4.58
  • Related information: Alert Notice 537, Alert Notice 540

Monitoring requested for developing planetary system dust production study, issued 2 October 2015, 13 March 2015

  • Requested by: Dr. George Rieke (University of Arizona)
  • Requested duration: through December 2015 in two segments (March-May, October-December) and through March 2016
  • Purpose of request: V photometry to determine non-variability of target stars; correlate with Spitzer observations
  • Magnitude of object: four targets: V=6.95, V=9.42, V=11.29, V=12.83
  • Related information: Alert Notice 511, Special Notice #408

Observing campaign on 5 variables in Cygnus, issued 1 October 2015

  • Requested by: Dr. George Wallerstein (University of Washington)
  • Requested duration: 1 October - 31 December 2015 UT
  • Purpose of request: To determine times of maxima and minima for correlation with spectroscopic data
  • Magnitude of objects: various, V= 5.8-10.8 at maximum, V=6.9-12.7 at minimum
  • Related information: Alert Notice 529

Coverage of V5668 Sgr (Nova Sgr 2015 No. 2) requested in support of HST spectroscopy, issued 30 October 2015

Requested by: Dr. Peter Kuin (Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College

  • London) and colleagues in the Swift Nova group
  • Requested duration: through 2015 November 13
  • Purpose of request:B, V, gi, and visual observations to determine brightness prior to and during STIS observation
  • Magnitude of object: V=8.5 on 2015 October 30
  • Related information: Alert Notice 533

17 cataclysmic variables to be observed by William Herschel Telescope (second campaign), issued 26 August 2015

  • Requested by: Roque Ruiz-Carmona (Ph.D. candidate, Institute of Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands)
  • Requested duration:31 August - 2 September 2015 UT
  • Purpose of request: Snapshot images on two nights to determine status of systems in order to determine final WHT target list
  • Magnitude of objects: various, V=15-19 in quiescence, V=13-16 in outburst
  • Related information: Alert Notice 527

Monitoring of LS IV -14 116 requested in support of upcoming satellite observations, issued 20 August 2015

  • Requested by: Prof. Simon Jeffery (Armagh Observatory; Trinity College Dublin)
  • Requested duration: 18 August - 2 September 2015
  • Purpose of request: Multicolor photometry to supplement ground-based photometry to correlate with HST and VLT/UVES spectroscopic observations
  • Magnitude of object: V=13.0, B=12.6
  • Related information: Alert Notice 526

X-ray nova and LMXB V404 Cyg in rare outburst, issued 18 June 2015

  • Requested by: AAVSO
  • Requested duration: 18 June 2015 until object returns to minimum
  • Purpose of request: Monitor optical behavior of black hole outburst
  • Magnitude of objects: uncertain in different bands, as of 17 June, V=14.98 +/- 0.06
  • Related information: Alert Notice 520, Alert Notice 522

Observations to monitor eclipse of EE Cep, issued 9 July 2014

  • Requested by: AAVSO on behalf of Dr. Cezary Galan (Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center)
  • Requested duration: now through October 2014 at least
  • Purpose of request: visual observations and multiband photometry requested before, during, and after eclipse predicted for 2014 August 23
  • Magnitude of object: 10.8V at maximum, 12.5 or fainter at mid-eclipse
  • Related information: Alert Notice 502, Special Notice #387

Observing campaign on KIC 02856960, issued 31 July 2015

  • Requested by: Dr. Thomas Marsh (University of Warwick)
  • Requested duration: 8 - 12 August 2015
  • Purpose of request: Time series Ic and V photometry to study the enigmatic behavior of this possible triple system
  • Magnitude of object: V~16.0
  • Related information: Alert Notice 525

Observing campaign on 17 cataclysmic variables, issued 16 July 2015

  • Requested by: Roque Ruiz-Carmona (Ph.D. candidate, Institute of Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands)
  • Requested duration:21 July 20:00 UT and 22 July 15:00 2015 UT
  • Purpose of request: Snapshot images to determine status of systems in order to determine final WHT target list
  • Magnitude of objects: various, V=15-19 in quiescence, V=13-16 in outburst
  • Related information: Alert Notice 524

Monitoring of AM Her urgently requested in support of XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observations, issued 2 April 2015

  • Requested by: Dr. Axel Schwope (Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam,
    Germany)
  • Requested duration: 2 April 2015 through 16 April 2015
  • Purpose of request: Filtered time-series photometry in support of XMM-Newton and NuSTAR X-ray observations
  • Magnitude of object: ~12.7-13.8V in high state, ~15.5V in low state (currently in high state)
  • Related information: Alert Notice 517, Special Notice #401

Observations of GW Lib in support of HST observations, issued 18 March 2015

  • Requested by:  Dr. Paula Szkody (University of Washington)
  • Requested duration: March-May 2015
  • Purpose of request: Nightly AAVSO observations will be used to make a go/no go decision when the HST observing window opens, and will also be used in the analysis of the resulting data.
  • Magnitude of object: V~16.8
  • Related information: Alert Notice 513, Special Notice #403

Observations of the symbiotic nova ASAS J174600-2321.3, issued 5 March 2015

  • Requested by: S. Otero (AAVSO), P. Tisserand (Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris), K. Bernhard (AAVSO, BAV), and S. Hummerich (AAVSO, BAV)
  • Requested duration: March 5 through July 2015
  • Purpose of request: multicolor photometry and visual observations to observe timing and shape of predicted eclipse and associated color changes
  • Magnitude of object: V=12.2 at maximum, V<16.9 at minimum
  • Related information: Alert Notice 510

Multicolor photometry of the triple system b Per requested, issued 12 January 2015

  • Requested by: Dr. Bob Zavala (U.S. Naval Observatory, Flagstaff)
  • Requested duration: 12 January through 31 January 2015
  • Purpose of request: detect predicted eclipse of components AB by component C
  • Magnitude of object: 4.52 V
  • Related information: Alert Notice 507, Special Notice #394 (2013 campaign information on b Per in Alert Notice 476 and Special Notice #333)

Monitoring of Northern dwarf novae for radio jets campaign, issued 24 October 2014

  • Requested by: Ms. Deanne Coppejans (PhD candidate, Radboud University Nijmegen (Netherlands) and University of Cape Town) and colleagues
  • Requested duration: now through September 2015 or until all 5 VLA triggers have been used
  • Purpose of request: V photometry and visual observations requested to determine outburst start in order to trigger VLA observations
  • Magnitude of object: range differs for each target (RX And 10.8-15.5vis, U Gem 8.9vis-15.4V, YZ Cnc 10.4vis-15.7V, SU UMa 10.9-14.9vis, Z Cam 10.4-13.8vis, SY Cnc 10.6-13.8vis, EX Dra 13.0vis-16.7V, EM Cyg 12.1-14.2vis, and AB Dra 12.2-15.5vis)
  • Related information: Alert Notice 505

Monitoring of bright Type-Ia SN in M82 PSN J09554214+6940260, issued 22 January 2014

  • Requested by: Dr. Bradley Schaefer (Louisiana State University)
  • Requested duration: throughout the supernova's decline
  • Purpose of request: visual observations and multiband photometry requested in search for flares and other short-term variability
  • Magnitude of object: 11.7V at discovery and brightening
  • Related information: Alert Notice 495

T Tauri stars observing campaign,  issued 19 December 2013

  • Requested by: Darryl Sergison (University of Exeter)
  • Requested duration: through 2013-2014 observing season at least
  • Purpose of request: visual observations, multiband photometry, and spectroscopy requested
  • Magnitude of object: differs by target, collectively ~ 10.6-16 photgraphically (~11.5R)
  • Related information: Alert Notice 494

Observations of BP Tau requested in support of Chandra X-ray observations, issued 18 December 2013

  • Requested by: Dr. Hans Moritz Guenther (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for
    Astrophysics)
  • Requested duration: 17 December 2013 through end of observing season in Spring 2014
  • Purpose of request: Snapshot CCD and visual observations in support of Chandra X-ray observations
  • Magnitude of object: ~12V
  • Related information: Alert Notice 493

Alpha Com eclipse observing campaign, issued 5 December 2014 CAMPAIGN CANCELLED - SEE SPECIAL NOTICE #395.

  • Requested by: Drs. Matthew Muterspaugh and Greg Henry (Tennessee State University)
  • Requested duration: now through mid-February 2015
  • Purpose of request: V/R photometry to monitor alpha Com prior to, during, and after 26-year eclipse
  • Magnitude of object: 4.32V (eclipse depth ~0.8 magnitude)
  • Related information: Alert Notice 506

Cataclysmic variables to be monitored for HST observations, issued 24 September 2013, 11 September 2013,  5 September 2013, 19 July 2013 (two Special Notices), 16 July 2013, 8 July 2013, 24 June 2013 (two Special Notices), 12 June 2013 (two Special Notices), 4 June, 2013, 31 May 2013, 22 May 2013, 13 May 2013, 8 May 2013 (two Special Notices), 30 April 2013 (two Special Notices), 22 April 2013, 9 April 2013, 8 April 2013, 2 April 2013, 25 March 2013, 18 march 2013, 14 March 2013, 6 March 2013, 28 February 2013, 21 February 2013, 12 February 2013, 5 February 2013, 1 February 2013, 29 January 2013, 24 January 2013, 21 January 2013, 14 January 2013, 10 January, 2013, 4 January 2013, 20 December 2012, 11 December 2012, 5 December 2012, 30 November 2012, 20 November 2012, 13 November 2012, 5 November 2012, 31 October 2012, 24 October 2012, 10 October 2012, 5 October 2012, 20 September 2012

Optical monitoring of T Ori requested, issued 30 August 2013

  • Requested by: Dr. William Herbst (Wesleyan University) and Rachel Pederson (Bates College)
  • Requested duration: 2013 September 1 through 30
  • Purpose of request: Nightly snapshot CCD and visual observations for correlation with high-resolution spectroscopy
  • Magnitude of object: ~9.7-11.9 visual and V
  • Related information: Alert Notice 490

Observations of AA Tau requested to schedule XMM-Newton, issued 1 August 2013

  • Requested by: Dr. Hans Moritz Guenther (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for
    Astrophysics)
  • Requested duration: 2013 August 1 through September 20
  • Purpose of request: Snapshot CCD and visual observations to determine state of AA Tau for scheduling XMM-Newton observations
  • Magnitude of object: 12.8-16.1V, currently ~14.7V
  • Related information: Alert Notice 488

Spectroscopy and photometry campaign on three bright Wolf Rayet stars, issued 26 June 2013

  • Requested by: Dr. Noel Richardson (Université de Montréal) and colleagues
  • Requested duration: 2013 June through September
  • Purpose of request: Spectroscopy and filtered photometry in support of ground-based spectroscopy and MOST observations
  • Magnitude of object: WR 134 8.23V, WR 135 8.36V, WR 137 8.15V
  • Related information: Alert Notice 486

AG Dra monitoring requested for multiwavelength campaign, issued 20 June 2013

Monitoring requested for dust production study in developing planetary systems, issued 4 April 2013

  • Requested by: Huan Meng and Dr. George Rieke (University of Arizona)
  • Requested duration: through December 2013
  • Purpose of request: V photometry to determine non-variability of target stars; correlate with Spitzer observations
  • Magnitude of object: two targets are V = 9, third target is V = 7
  • Related information: Alert Notice 482

AH Her observing campaign, issued 17 May 2013

  • Requested by: Dr. Juan Echevarria (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) and colleagues
  • Requested duration: 2013 May 29 through June 18 (coverage requested May 17 - June 30)
  • Purpose of request: V photometry and spectroscopy to determine time of minimum; correlate with ground-based photometry and spectroscopy
  • Magnitude of object: 10.8V - 14.7V
  • Related information: Alert Notice 483

Photometry requested for blazar-type quasars 3C 273 and 3C 279, issued 2011 January 11

  • Requested by:  Kirill Sokolovsky (Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie, Bonn)
  • Requested duration: 2012
  • Purpose of request: combine with multiwavelength observations and VLBA interferometry to obtain a better picture of what these objects are and how they vary; specifically, to search for correlations between the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of these objects and the behavior of the associated relativistic jets at sub-parsec spatial resolution. 
  • Magnitude of objects: V~12.7 3C 273; V~16.1 3C 279
  • Related information: Alert Notice 430 and AAVSO campaign page on these objects.

Long-term monitoring of the Young Stellar Objects HBC 722 and VSX J205126.1+440523, issued 2010 October 1

  • Requested by: Dr. Colin Aspin (U. of Hawai'i)
  • Requested duration: Through late 2012
  • Purpose of request: Photometric monitoring and optical calibration for optical and infrared spectroscopy to be undertaken during the coming year
  • Magnitude of objects: HBC 722 -- V=13.5 ; VSX J205126.1+440523 -- V=16.8
  • Related information: Special Notice #216 (discovery) and Alert Notice 425 (campaign announcement)

Multicolor photometry of the triple system b Per requested, issued 5 February 2013, 4 January 2013

  • Requested by: Dr. Bob Zavala (U.S. Naval Observatory, Flagstaff)
  • Requested duration: 23 January through 4 February 2013
  • Purpose of request: create baseline light curve and detect predicted eclipse of components AB by component C
  • Magnitude of object: 4.52 V
  • Related information: Alert Notice 476, Special Notice #333

Transformed photometry of young stars in Cha requested, issued 16 January 2013

  • Requested by: Dr. Péter Ábrahám (Konkoly Observatory)
  • Requested duration: January-February 2013
  • Purpose of request: Calibrated, transformed VRI photometry requested in support of mid-infrared/far-infrared observations
  • Magnitude of object: 8 stars, differs by target
  • Related information: Alert Notice 478

Multiwavelength campaign on delta Ori (Mintaka), issued 14 December 2012

  • Requested by: Drs. Tony Moffat (Universite de Montreal), Michael Corcoran (NASA GSFC), Noel Richardson (Universite de Montreal, formerly at Georgia State University) and others
  • Requested duration: through January 2013
  • Purpose of request: Photometry and spectroscopy in support of Chandra and MOST multiwavelength observations
  • Magnitude of object: 2.41 visual magnitude
  • Related information: Alert Notice 474

Monitoring of SS Cygni in support of European VLBI radio observations, issued 31 October 2012, 8 May 2012, and 13 October and 19 August 2011

Monitoring of HD 5980 in support of multiwavelength campaign, issued 19 October 2012

  • Requested by: Dr. Noel Richardson (Universite de Montreal, formerly at Georgia State University)
  • Requested duration: through February 2013 at least
  • Purpose of request: Update eclipse ephemeris and simultaneous observations in support of CTIO 1.5-m telescope multiwavelength observations
  • Magnitude of object: ~11.6 visual magnitude
  • Related information: Alert Notice 472

Observations of TT Ari requested in support of MOST observations, issued 25 August 2012

  • Requested by:Dr. Nikolaus Vogt (Universidad de Valparaiso, Chile)
  • Requested duration: August through December 2013
  • Purpose of request: Support MOST observations to study superhump behavior
  • Magnitude of object: V=10.5
  • Related information: Alert Notice 469

CANCELLED: Monitoring of V380 Oph requested in support of HST observations, issued 13 August 2012
see AAVSO Alert Notice 468 for details of cancellation.

Monitoring of RU Peg requested for Swift observations, issued 6 June 2012

  • Requested by: Dr. Koji Mukai (Universities Space Research Association/NASA
    Goddard Space Flight Center)
  • Requested duration: through April 2013
  • Purpose of request: Detect outburst to enable target-of-opportunity observations by Swift satellite
  • Magnitude of object: V=10.0-12.9, currently at minimum
  • Related information: Alert Notice 459

Multiwavelength campaign on AE Aqr, issued 11 May 2012

  • Requested by: Dr. Christopher Mauche (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory)
  • Requested duration: through June 2012
  • Purpose of request: Support of observations by Swift satellite, MAGIC telescope, other ground-based photometry
  • Magnitude of object: V=10.4-12.4, currently ~ V=11.4
  • Related information: Alert Notice 458, AAVSO Special Notice #281

Monitoring of V854 Cen requested, issued 4 April 2012

  • Requested by: Bram Ochsendorf (Leiden Observatory, Netherlands)
  • Requested duration: through August 2012
  • Purpose of request: Detection of fading of this RCB star in support of ESO VLT X-SHOOTER observations; V-band/visual observations requested
  • Magnitude of object at maximum: V=7.2
  • Related information: Alert Notice 456

Monitoring Nova Oph 2012 for multiwavelength observations, issued 10 April 2012

Simultaneous observations of SU Aur and AB Aur are requested for XMM-Newton, issued 8 February 2012

  • Requested by: Dr. Hans Moritz Guenther (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics)
  • Requested duration: through 24 February 2012
  • Purpose of request: Support of XMM-Newton x-ray observations
  • Magnitude of object: SU Aur V=9.5, AB Aur V=7.0
  • Related information: Alert Notice 452

Long-term photometry of magnetically active variables, issued 2009 October 7

  • Requested by: Dr. Stella Kafka (DTM, Carnegie Inst. of Washington)
  • Requested duration: Through 2011
  • Purpose of request: Long-term monitoring in Rc, V, Ic, and B filters
  • Magnitude of object: varies by object
  • Related information: Alert Notice 406 and Campaign Page

Monitoring of V455 Andromedae in support of HST observations, issued 2011 September 12

Long-term monitoring of four AGN in support of ground-based spectroscopy, issued 8 July 2011

  • Requested by: Dr. Misty Bentz (Georgia State University)
  • Requested duration: July 10 - November 30, 2011
  • Purpose of request: support of spectroscopic monitoring campaign in variability study
  • Magnitude of object: V=14.0 NGC 6814, V=15.0 NGC 7213, V=14.5 NGC 7469, V=14.5 NGC 1566
  • Related information: Alert Notice 443, Special Notice #249, and Special Notice #262

Request for observations in support of ground-based spectroscopy, issued 27 May 2011

  • Requested by: Dr. Steve Howell (NASA,NOAO) and Dr. Travis Rector (U. of Alaska, Anchorage)
  • Requested duration: immediate request through 2011 June 01, long-term coverage thereafter
  • Purpose of request: correlation with spectra
  • Magnitude of object: various (V=5 to V=13)
  • Related information: Alert Notice 441

Observations of GW Lib in support of HST observations

  • Requested by:  Paula Szkody (University of Washington)
  • Requested duration: March-April 2011
  • Purpose of request: Nightly AAVSO observations will be used to make a go/no go decision when the HST observing window opens, and will also be used in the analysis of the resulting data.
  • Magnitude of object: V~16.8
  • Related information: Alert Notice 433,  Special Notice #238

Observations of SDSS074545 in support of HST observations

  • Requested by:  Paula Szkody (University of Washington)
  • Requested duration: February-March 2011
  • Purpose of request: Nightly AAVSO observations will be used to make a go/no go decision when the HST observing window opens, and will also be used in the analysis of the resulting data.
  • Magnitude of object: V~19.1
  • Related information: Alert Notice 431,  Special Notice #236

Photometry requested for three "Vestoid" Near-Earth Objects, issued 2011 January 07

  • Requested by: Dr. Michael David Hicks (Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
  • Requested duration: January - March 2011
  • Purpose of request: precision photometry of three "Vestoids" (near-Earth objects with similar reflectance spectra to Vesta itself, suggesting they may be fragments of that larger body) in support of NASA's DAWN mission to Vesta
  • Magnitude of objects: V fainter than 16 throughout apparitions of 1981 Midas (1973 EA), 4688 (1980 WF), and 137052 (1998 VO33) during this interval
  • Related information: Alert Notice 429 includes tables of ephemerides

Monitoring requested of the peculiar cataclysmic variable FS Aurigae, issued 2010 November 30

  • Requested by: Dr. Vitaly Neustroev (U. of Oulu, Finland)
  • Requested duration: 2010-2011 observing season
  • Purpose of request: to detect the next outburst as early as possible with V (preferred) twice-nightly observations, and follow outburst throughout duration with intensive  time-series observations
  • Magnitude of object: V=16-17 in quiescence, typically V=13.5-14.0 in outburst
  • Related information: Alert Notice 428, Special Notice #226, and organizer's website
  • Resulting publications: Neustroev et al. 2011

Observing campaign on BM Ori and the Trapezium region, issued 2010 November 23

  • Requested by Dr. Matthew R. Templeton (AAVSO)
  • Requested duration: through 2010-2011 observing season (potentially longer for some targets)
  • Purpose of request: Search for low-amplitude variability in the bright, young stars of the Trapezium region of the Orion Nebula (M42) and surrounding constellations,
  • in conjunction with upcoming observations with the MOST satellite (see Alert Notice 427 for list of target stars)
  • Magnitude of object: targets range from as bright as 6th magnitude to 12-13 and fainter
  • Related information: Alert Notice 427

Monitoring of V455 Andromedae in support of HST observations, issued 2010 October 5

  • Requested by: Dr. Paula Szkody (U. of Washington)
  • Requested duration: Through 2010 October 23
  • Purpose of request: monitor to ensure it remains in quiescence
  • Magnitude of object: V=16.0
  • Related information: Alert Notice 423 and Alert Notice 426 [Note: this campaign was originally announced 2010 August 30 with observtions requested through 2010 September 20, but was rescheduled due to problems with the HST spacecraft on the observation date]

Photometry of Edwin Hubble's first Cepheid in M31, issued 2010 July 16

Multiwavelength observations of SS Cygni, issued 2010 April 15

Photometry of the 2010 GK Persei outburst, issued 2010 March 8

  • Requested by: Dr. Phil Evans (Univ. of Leicester, UK)
  • Requested duration: through current outburst
  • Purpose of request: Noteworthy event, Multiwavelength support
  • Magnitude of object: V ~ 10-12
  • Related information: Special Notice #198

Request for observations of KT Eri (Nova Eri 2009), issued 2010 January 20

  • Requested by: Dr. Julian Osborne (Univ. of Leicester, UK)
  • Requested duration: through current outburst
  • Purpose of request: Noteworthy event, Multiwavelength support
  • Magnitude of object: V ~ 8 at maximum, currently V ~ 11.5 (slow nova)
  • Related information: Special Notice #189

Long-term monitoring of the suspected white dwarf binary V1412 Aql, issued 2009 February 26

  • Requested by: Dr. Arlo Landolt (LSU)
  • Requested duration: Through October 2010
  • Purpose of request: Nightly monitoring, rapid time series if eclipse is observed
  • Magnitude of object: V=15.75 (eclipses to V>19.0)
  • Related information: Special Notice #148

Monitoring of the Recurrent Nova U Scorpii, issued 2008 January 22, concluded 2010 April 9

Long-term photometric campaign on the Luminous Blue Variable P Cygni, issued 2008 November 4

  • Requested by: Bernd Hanisch and Ernst Pollman (BAV)
  • Requested duration: Open-ended
  • Purpose of request: Correlation between photometric data and spectroscopic data
  • Magnitude of object: V ~ 4.5
  • Related information: Special Notice #131 and Campaign Page

ASAS182612: A New Eclipsing Cepheid, issued 2007 June 8

  • Requested by: Dr. Arne Henden (AAVSO)
  • Requested duration: Open-ended
  • Purpose of request: Long-term monitoring in BVRcIc filters
  • Magnitude of object: V=11.0-12.0
  • Related information: Alert Notice 351
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