Proposal #680

Hello, I'm Sauro Gaudenzi, my observer code is GSAD. In support of AAVSO alert no. 919, I kindly request the use of a telescope to observe the object PSN J12355230+2755559. I request that ten 30-second exposures be taken using an R filter, with a 40-second interval between exposures. I also request that at least two observations be made per week, starting as soon as possible, until May 30, 2026.
Abstract:
Dr. Mojgan Aghakhanloo (University of Virginia) informs us that the very interesting SDOR variable PSN J12355230+2755559 (= AT 2016blu) (Com) appears to be going into an outburst. Close monitoring (preferably in r or Rc but other bands welcome) is urgently requested to confirm the outburst and magnitude (rising from ~19r to ~17r) in order to trigger Chandra target-of-opportunity observations. OBSERVERS ARE URGENTLY REQUESTED to monitor the target closely throughout the outburst, and then observe nightly for at least 30 days after the target returns to minimum. This target was the subject of AAVSO Observing Campaign 882 (https://apps.aavso.org/v2/campaigns/882)
Justification:
For Observing Campaign 882, Dr. Aghakhanloo wrote: "AT 2016blu has experienced at least 19 outbursts from 2012 to 2022. We found that AT 2016blu's outbursts occur approximately every 113 days. Subsequent to the AAVSO observing campaign's start in January 2024, at least 6 brightenings were observed by the campaign's end in July. Recent observations from the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) show it was bright in December 2024, and was above minimum on January 5, 2025, around the time that a brightening event was expected. The light curve of AT 2016blu shows brief, multi-peaked outbursts that sometimes occur before or after the expected periastron time, and as this object's light curve is complex.

Requested Data Types:
Photometry

Best Sauro