MAXI/GSC detects the onset of a recurrent outburst of GX 304-1

ATel #3624; T. Yamamoto (RIKEN), M. Nakajima (Nihon U.), T. Mihara, M. Sugizaki, M. Serino, S. Nakahira, T. Sootome, M. Matsuoka (RIKEN), S. Ueno, H. Tomida, M. Kohama, M. Ishikawa (JAXA), N. Kawai, M. Morii, K. Sugimori, R. Usui, T. Toizumi (Tokyo Tech), A. Yoshida, K. Yamaoka (AGU), H. Tsunemi, M. Kimura, H. Kitayama (Osaka U.), H. Negoro, F. Suwa (Nihon U.), Y. Ueda, K. Hiroi, M. Shidatsu (Kyoto U.), Y. Tsuboi, T. Matsumura, K. Yamazaki (Chuo U.) report on behalf of the MAXI team
on 2 Sep 2011; 09:37 UT
Credential Certification: Tatehiro Mihara (mihara@crab.riken.jp)

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MAXI/GSC detected an increase in X-ray flux from a Be/X-ray binary pulsar GX 304-1 on 2011 Sep 1 (MJD 55805.5). The source flux reached 44+-5 mCrab in 4-10 keV on Sep 1. This event is consistent with the onset of the recurrent outburst with the 132.5-day period (ATel #3309), the eighth of the successive outbursts since the source activity resumed on 2008 Jun following the 28-year absence (ATel #1613). This activity occurred a few days earlier than the previous onset, but at the same timing and a similar flux with the one two cycles before. 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