New deep minimum of the cataclysmic variable V794 Aquilae
ATel #3475; S. Boeva, G. Latev, K. Stoyanov, R. Zamanov (Institute of Astronomy and National Astronomical Observatory, Bulgaria)
on 6 Jul 2011; 14:17 UT
Credential Certification: R. K. Zamanov (rkz@astro.bas.bg)
Subjects: Optical, Cataclysmic Variable
We report a deep low state of the cataclysmic variable star V794 Aql. On
the night of 2011 July 4, we observed V794 Aql with the 50/70cm
Schmidt and 60cm telescopes of the National Astronomical Observatory Rozhen, Bulgaria,
equipped with FLI PL 16803 and
FLI PL 9000 CCD cameras, respectively. The obtained average magnitudes are as follows:
JD=2455747.52, B = 18.49 ± 0.12 – 3x300 sec exp-time;
JD=2455747.50, V = 18.40 ± 0.11 – 5x300 sec;
JD=2455747.50, R = 17.77 ± 0.05 – 4x300 sec;
JD=2455747.49, I = 17.31 ± 0.09 – 3x300 sec.
The low photometric states of members of the nova-like VY Sculptoris
class are rare phenomena, caused by the cessation of mass transfer.
After the first possible low state of V794 Aql in 1932, there are two
known deep minima of brightness - in 1985 (Honeycutt
& Schlegel,
1985, PASP, 97, 1189) and in 1995
(Honeycutt & Robertson, 1998, AJ, 116,
1961), when the star has faded to V=17-18 mag. Our
observations indicate that V794 Aql is in a deep minimum (fainter than V=18 mag)
now.
Follow-up observations are essential for further study of this low state.
