[Aavso-photometry] BZ UMa Update: 050117 #1

[Aaron Price]

 The data is starting to come in on BZ UMa thanks to VMT, BDG and RZD.
So far no clear evidence of superhumps but lots of flaring, as with
the previous outburst. The coverage seems to be good too. Based on
chat room feedback, it seems like we will have solid coverage from
Europe to the Pacific. We really need the Pacific and Asian countries
to step up to the plate now and keep this ball rolling!

  This is a fun example of things working out. In our IBVS paper last
spring we predicted the next outburst on January 3, 2005 ± 108.3 days
(2 sigma error). As a result, we announced a monitoring campaign last
month in CCD Views #328 (Item #7) . It feels good to be so close
because that was a tough prediction due to very sparce coverage of
outbursts from 1970-1990. It is another example of why the AAVSO
International Database is so unique and important. Who knew that the
solo outburst detection in 1987 would prove so crucial to astronomers
in 2004-5? Keep those obs coming and keep filling that database, you
never know when they will be useful...

  I'm going to bed now but I'll keep the chat room on through the
night since there still seems to be some activity.

-- 
Aaron
--
New York Times quote: "It was actually happening.
The nerd was kissing the homecoming queen. Paper was beating scissors;
scissors were beating rock. Charlie Brown was kicking the football. The
Red Sox were beating the Yankees for the American League pennant."