MAXI/GSC detects an outburst from a Be/X-ray binary GX 304-1

ATel #2779; T. Mihara, T. Yamamoto, M. Suzuki, Y. E. Nakagawa, M. Sugizaki, T. Sootome, M. Matsuoka (RIKEN), N. Kawai, M. Morii, K. Sugimori, R. Usui (Tokyo Tech), K. Kawasaki, S. Ueno, H. Tomida, M. Kohama, M. Ishikawa (JAXA), A. Yoshida, K. Yamaoka, S. Nakahira (AGU), H. Tsunemi, M. Kimura (Osaka U.), H. Negoro, M. Nakajima H. Ozawa, F. Suwa (Nihon U.), M. Shidatsu, Y. Ueda, N. Isobe, S. Eguchi, K. Hiroi (Kyoto U.), A. Daikyuji (Miyazaki U.), A. Uzawa, T. Matsumura, K. Yamazaki (Chuo U.) on behalf of the MAXI team
on 7 Aug 2010; 15:52 UT
Credential Certification: Tatehiro Mihara (mihara@crab.riken.jp)

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An X-ray increase from the Be/X-ray binary pulsar GX 304-1 was observed with MAXI/GSC on 2010 August 6 (MJD 55414.5) at 58+-5 mCrab (4-10 keV). This is consistent with the recurrent outburst from this source with a 132-day period since the last one on 55289.5 (= April 3, 2010) (ATel #2538). This is the sixth of successive outbursts following 28 years absence. The peak flux has been gradually increasing for the last five outbursts. The current outburst is about the same level as the last one which reached 125 mCrab. The maximum activity of the current outburst is expected on August 14, 2010. The latest light curve and the image of this source are available at the following URL: http://maxi.riken.jp/top/index.php?cid=1&jname=J1301-616