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Variable of the Month
Sco X-1 (V818 Sco)
( The X-Ray Binary Sco X-1 (V818 Sco) is Extremely Active )
Sco X-1 (V818 Sco) is the brightest (persistent) low-mass X-ray binary in the sky. The
object is a close binary containing a neutron star, which accretes matter from the
companion star, and emits X-rays. Low-mass X-ray binaries are often very faint in the
visual light, and Sco X-1 (V818 Sco) is a rare example which amateur telescope can easily
reach.
Berto Monard (South Africa) and Peter Nelson (Australia) report that the object,
usually at around mag 12.7, has brightening significantly, and looks to be still
brightening.
Observers are strongly encourage to observe this "monster" in the northern
Scorpius.
V818 Sco is located at 16h 19m 55s.0 -15o
38' 24" ( J2000.0 ).
Recent observations reported to VSNET:
YYYYMMDD(UT) mag
observer
20010510.758
127 (B. Monard)
20010511.767 127 (B. Monard)
20010512.788 127 (B. Monard)
20010513.816 126 (B. Monard)
20010514.772 127 (B. Monard)
20010515.774 127 (B. Monard)
20010517.767 127 (B. Monard)
20010518.794 127 (B. Monard)
20010519.769 127 (B. Monard)
20010520.753 128 (B. Monard)
20010521.738 128 (B. Monard)
20010523.783 127 (B. Monard)
20010525.769 129 (B. Monard)
20010526.732 128 (B. Monard)
20010527.756 126 (B. Monard)
20010529.791 127 (B. Monard)
20010530.951 122 (B. Monard)
20010608.732 127 (B. Monard)
20010609.740 135 (B. Monard)
20010610.728 126 (B. Monard)
20010612.766 127 (B. Monard)
20010613.785 130 (B. Monard)
20010615.737 128 (B. Monard)
20010616.764 127 (B. Monard)
20010618.756 128 (B. Monard)
20010619.716 128 (B. Monard)
20010620.688 128 (B. Monard)
20010621.725 134 (B. Monard)
20010622.760 134 (B. Monard)
20010623.741 133 (B. Monard)
20010625.694 134 (B. Monard)
20010628.006 127 (B. Monard)
20010628.722 127 (B. Monard)
20010630.694 127 (B. Monard)
20010703.467 <114 (P.
Nelson)
20010704.419 120 (P. Nelson)
20010708.739 123 (B. Monard)
20010711.812 120 (B. Monard)
20010712.544 116
(P. Nelson)
submitted by Evan Dembskey
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