Microlensing Event Caustic Crossing
ATel #28; MACHO/GMAN Collaboration
on 16 Jun 1998; 10:13 UT
Distributed as an Instant Email Notice Microlensing Events
Credential Certification: Global Microlensing Alert Network (gman@bustard.phys.nd.edu)
Subjects: Optical, Microlensing Event
The MACHO/GMAN Collaboration (cf. IAUC 6845 ) plus affiliate S.Rhie
report that further observations of microlensing event MACHO-98-SMC-1
(R.A. = 0h45m35s.2, Decl. = -72o52'34" J2000) confirm the binary lens interpretation and yield a prediction for the time of the 2nd caustic
crossing: June 19.2 +/- 1.5 UT. The confirming observations were
obtained with the MSO 1.3m MACHO survey telescope and the CTIO 0.9-m
telescope. Photometric measurements during the caustic crossing are
URGENTLY REQUESTED because the timescale of the caustic crossing will
indicate whether this binary lens resides in the SMC itself or in the
Milky Way's dark halo. This star is expected to reach R ~18 at the
peak of a ~12-24 hour caustic crossing if the lens is in the SMC or
R < 17 at the peak of a ~1 hour caustic crossing for a Galactic halo
lens. Potential observers are urged
to contact macho@astro.washington.edu, A. Becker at telephone
206-543-9205 and/or D. Bennett at telephone 219-631-8298 to coordinate
observations.
MACHO 98-SMC-1 Alert Page
