Johannesburg Centre, Astronomical Society of Southern Africa

Delta Scorpii strange fading

Delta Sco is behaving strangely and confusing the experts. After getting brighter than mag 1.7, it has now faded to around 1.9, in an erratic and puzzling manner. Many more estimates are now needed quite urgently. You can observe this variable with the naked eye!! No telescope needed.

Brian Fraser

-----Original Message-----

From: Sebastian Otero
Sent: 23 June 2002 09:55
To: Be Stars
Subject: [vsnet-chat 5357] Delta Scorpii strange fading

There is some important news on delta Scorpii. -- Take a look at the recent photometry:

20020615.125 1.77V    Doug West
20020616.065 1.77       Sebastian Otero
20020616.969 1.77V    Brian Fraser (B-V= -0.05)
20020619.049 1.76:      Sebastian Otero
20020619.700 1.89V    Brian Fraser (B-V= -0.06)
20020622.074 1.88       Sebastian Otero

There was an important fading on June 19.  The star wasn't this faint since September 11, 2001.
But such a rapid drop in brightness is strange.

Thom Gandet is analysing the observational data from Brian Fraser, Doug West and myself and
we'll be publishing results soon.   

So, keep an eye on Delta Scorpii because it is very active. --- Spectra are strongly needed.

Regards,
Sebastian Otero.

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