Outburst of quasar OJ287 observed on schedule

摘要

Lying just 3.5° east of the open cluster M44 in the constellation of Cancer, the quasar OJ287 has once again been keeping BAAVSS observers keenly interested over the winter and spring of 2015-2016. Unusually for a quasar, OJ287 undergoes semi-periodic outbursts bright enough to be seen with modest-sized telescopes. Data collected by both professional and amateur astronomers are proving to be of immense value to our study of these enigmatic objects, as well as adding to our knowledge of the recently discovered gravitational wave phenomenon.