V919 Sagittarii

R. J. Ivison and M. K. Bang, Lancashire Polytechnic; F. Comeron and J. Marti, University of Barcelona, report: "This Z And-type classical symbiotic star appears to be in outburst. Observations from the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, La Palma, on July 31.1 and Aug. 2.2 UT, using the 2.5-m Isaac Newton (+ Manchester Echelle Spectrometer/IPCS) and 1-m Jacobus Kapteyn (+ People's Photometer) telescopes, reveal that the He II (468.6 nm) line has disappeared and that [O III] (500.7 nm) is also absent. The He I (501.5 nm) line shows a P-Cyg profile and the H-alpha (656.3 nm) recombination line is strong, broad, and has a deep central reversal. Comparison with photometric standards gives V = 11.1, B-V = +0.4, V-R = +0.8, which suggests a 1.5-mag rise in V from quiescence and a color change to spectral class F. V919 Sgr is located at R.A. = 19h00m51s.6, Decl. = -17 04'24" (equinox 1950.0). Infrared observations with the U.K. Infrared Telescope and visual monitoring are planned."