The Be Star Newsletter, Volume 38 - October 2006

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Be star V408 Lac outburst in progress? Thom Gandet Lizard Hollow Observatory, P.O. Box 89175, Tucson, AZ 85745-9175 email:  tlglhobs@comcast.net Received: Oct 12, 2006;  Accepted: Oct 12, 2006 Dear Be-star colleagues, An outburst of the late-type Be star, V408 Lac (HD 212791), was observed at Lizard Hollow Observatory on 23 Sept 2006. On that date it was brighter than the brightest Hipparcos magnitude, but has since faded. Recent observations are: V408 Lac UT Date HJD V 23 Nov 2003 2452966.6502 8.035 23 Sep 2006 2454001.6569 7.844 08 Oct 2006 2454016.6887 8.052 10 Oct 2006 2454018.9430 8.053 V408 Lac's maximum of 7.84 on 23 Sept 2006 at least equals the maximum observed by Hipparcos. The very rapid fading of ~0.2 mag over two weeks we observed is far more precipitous than any drop observed by Hipparcos. As shell lines have been previously seen in the spectrum, perhaps this star is entering an interesting active transition period! The comparison star was HD 212636, using V=8.510, B-V=0.004 (derived from Tycho). I will photometrically observe V408 Lac through out this season, but only intermittently. Best regards and good observing! Thom Gandet