Spectroscopic outburst of central star of PN Lo 4
ATel #1858; H. Bond (STScI)
on 30 Nov 2008; 23:42 UT
Distributed as an Instant Email Notice Transients
Credential Certification: Howard E. Bond (bond@stsci.edu)
Subjects: Optical, Request for Observations, Binary, Star, Transient, Variables
The hydrogen-deficient central star of the planetary nebula
Longmore 4 (Lo 4; J2000: 10 05 45.7 -44 21 32) normally has a PG
1159-type absorption spectrum, with the O VI 3811-3834 doublet
in emission. On three past occasions (one in 1992, two in 2006;
H.E. Bond, 2008, ASP Conf Series 391, p. 129) the spectrum has
changed temporarily to an emission-line [WCE] type, with strong
emission at the C IV+He II complex near 4659-4686 A and O VI
5291. A spectrum obtained on 2008 Nov 30.27 with the SMARTS 1.5m
telescope at Cerro Tololo by M. Hernandez and F. Walter shows
that a new emission-line outburst is underway. Spectroscopic and
photometric monitoring, including high-speed photometry of the
star's GW Vir-type pulsations, is desirable throughout the
duration of the current event.
