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New outburst of the black-hole X-ray binary GX 339-4

ATel #5244; M. Buxton, I. Hasan, E. MacPherson, C. Bailyn (Yale University)
on 2 Aug 2013; 15:47 UT
Credential Certification: Michelle Buxton (buxton@astro.yale.edu)

Subjects: Infra-Red, Optical, Binary, Black Hole

Referred to by ATel #: 5252, 5285, 5417, 5594

We report a significant increase in optical and near-infrared fluxes of GX 339-4 which indicates the start of a new outburst in this black-hole X-ray binary. We have been observing GX 339-4 on a daily basis (weather permitting) with the SMARTS 1.3m telescope in Chile using the ANDICAM instrument. GX 339-4 has increased in brightness between JD 2456500 (2013 Jul 26) and JD 2456506 (2013 Aug 01) by the following magnitudes: delta_V = 1.2, delta_I = 1.5, delta_J = 1.9, delta_H = 2.3, and delta_K = 2.3. We will continue observing this target daily when possible, and strongly encourage observations to be made at other wavelengths. Our data and light curves can be found at: http://www.astro.yale.edu/smarts/xrb/home.php