Possible microlensing in the Galactic Disk
ATel #39; Andrzej Udalski, Michal Szymanski (Warsaw Univ. Observatory)
on 24 Feb 1999; 10:02 UT
Distributed as an Instant Email Notice Microlensing Events
Credential Certification:
Subjects: Optical, Microlensing Event
A. Udalski and M. Szymanski on behalf of the OGLE microlensing search
team report:
The OGLE Early Warning System triggered a microlensing candidate located
in the Galactic disk field in Carina. The I=18.0 mag (V=19.6) star
designated CAR_SC2 24589 (RA2000=11:07:26.72, DEC2000=-61:22:30.6,
l=290.8,b=-1.0) is currently brightening with the light curve consistent
with microlensing rise of brightness. The star was at constant
brightness level for two observing seasons 1997-98. The rise of
brightness is achromatic with V-I color constant within +/-0.02~mag. The
star is a regular main sequence star similar to the vast majority of the
field stars.
Current parameters of the microlensing fit predict long scale duration
event with time scale of about 100 days, maximum on May 3, 1999 and
large amplitude. We encourage follow-up observations, in particular
spectroscopic ones, to confirm or exclude microlensing nature of the
brightness rise.
If confirmed as microlensing, Galactic disk would be the fourth location
where microlensing was detected after the Large and Small Magellanic
Clouds and the Galactic bulge.
Finding chart, coordinates and all other information on this event can
be found at the OGLE EWS
WWW page and
Anonymous FTP.
See ATEL #16 for info on OGLE Early Warning System.
