Program: GN-2012A-Q-119
Title: | ToO Observations of Recently and Newly Discovered Young Eruptive Variables |
PI: | Colin Aspin |
Co-I(s): | |
Abstract
New, young, eruptive variable stars are now being
discovered in two complimentary ways, by synoptic surveys such as
PS1, VYSOS, and IRIS, and by amateur astronomers who publish their
findings on AAVSO. Two recent examples of the latter are HBC~722
and VSX~J205126 which, in August~2010, were observed to increase in
optical brightness by $\sim$4--5~mags. In order to better understand
the physical processes in action when such outbursts occur and their
temporal variability , quick response observations, taken as soon
after the event as possible, are required. We were recently
fortunate enough to obtain 2~hrs of GEMINI Director's Time to
observe the above two sources in the optical and near-IR within a
couple of weeks of their discovery. This data is of excellent
quality and gives an interesting insight into these objects.
However, two weeks is not fast enough to catch the all-important
rise to maximum phase, only Target-of-Opportunity observations can
accomplish this. It is such observations we solicit here.