SS Cyg

[DHEB]

Variable star observers have probably noticed the unusual behavior of SS Cyg since the late part of 2019. The saga is getting more interesting as recent observations indicate heightened activity in X-ray. Monitoring of this star in all wavelengths is encouraged.

From a recent VSNET alert:

Quote

SS Cyg: fast variability at the fading part of an outburst

As posted in ATel, SS Cyg is now brighter than usual in X-rays.
According to Nicer data that we took, this object shows violent and fast
variability in X-rays on timescales of seconds.  The X-ray flux becomes
higher and the fast variability is amplified now.  This may be QPOs (?)
and UV light curves showed short-term variability with the period of
less than 10 sec in its past outbursts.  It seems interesting to check
if it shows rapid variations in the optical band as well.
The current magnitude is ~10 mag.  Fast photometric observations
with the exposure time of less than 10 sec are encouraged.
Filtered observations are preferable.

Link to ATel #13744: http://www.astronomerstelegram.org/?read=13744

 

[DHEB]

To further illustrate the point of SS Cyg behaving unusually, see below the light curve for the last year. Since late 2019 the star has had a short "mini" outburst, followed by a long broadly peaked one, followed by a long a bright "quiescence". Also, minimum brightness during the quiescent state has become progressively brighter. This is definitely not normal behavior at SS Cyg.

 

[Xilman]

Interesting "noise" in the V-band data, most obviously at maxima and minima.

Could this be variabilty on the orbital period time scale?

I know I should down the data myself and perform a periodogram analysis but if someone has already done so ...

[Mr Spock]

Very interesting. I wonder what's going on