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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1659      2001 Jly 23 19.17UT
Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise,  Basingstoke,
Hants, RG22 4PP,England.Telephone/FAX(01256)471074Int:+441256471074
INTERNET: GUY@TAHQ.DEMON.CO.UK             GMH at AST.STAR.RL.AC.UK
WORLD WIDE WEB                    http://www.demon.co.uk/astronomer
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WZ SAGITTAE
Various VSNET messages advise that a rare outburst of WZ Sge
is in progress and early observations of the ascending branch
are vital tonight: editor

T.Watanabe reports the outburst of WZ Sge (observed by M. Oshima).
The reported observation is: 2001 July 23.223UT, 9.7.
Vsnet-alert 6093.

As reported by Ishioka-san, the Kyoto team has confirmed the
outburst of WZ Sge. The current Rc magnitude is 9.54 mag.

M. Reszelski, Poland, reported the object at magnitude 15.3v and
faint on July 22.969UT.

Previous outbursts were detected on:

1913 Nov 22; 1946 Jun 28; 1978 Dec 1. (Duerbeck, Reference
Catalogue and Atlas of Galactic Novae 1987).

Makoto Uemura, Japan adds:
As in the recent case of RZ Leo and AL Com, WZ Sge stars show
"early superhump" during the very early phase of their outbursts.
Tonight observations are important to study the birth of early
superhumps.  As well as follow-up photometric observations,
tonight spectroscopy is strongly urged.

As reported by Dr. Kuulkers, the object may show short-period
oscillations during the rising phase, so observers should take CCD
images with an exposure time as short as possible. The Kyoto team
is now observing with an exposure time of 10s (25-cm SC + ST-7E).

I am indebted to VSNET for the early notification of this important
news: editor.

Guy M Hurst