V407 Cygni

U. Munari, Asiago Astrophysical Observatory; A. Bragaglia and M. D. Guarnieri, Bologna Astronomical Observatory (BAO); G. Sostero and A. Lepardo, Associazione Friulana Astronomia e Meteorologia; and B. F. Yudin, Moscow Astronomical Institute (MAI), communicate: "The symbiotic Mira-type variable V407 Cyg (= Nova Cyg 1936) is currently undergoing an unexpected bright and active phase (cf. Munari et al. 1990, MNRAS 242, 653). Photoelectric photometry secured with the 0.91-m telescope of the Catania Astronomical Observatory on Aug. 4 and 6 gives V = 13.0, B-V = +1.0, U-B = 0.0. CCD spectra (range 390-780 nm; 1-nm resolution) obtained with the 1.5-m BAO telescope (+ BFOSC) on Aug. 7.0 UT show the Mira absorption continuum overwhelmed by a hot continuum shortward of 540 nm. Hydrogen, He I, and forbidden O III lines (never seen in the Asiago 1986-1993 low-resolution spectra) are in strong emission. JHKL photometry secured in July with the 1.25-m MAI Crimean telescope confirms that the Mira variable is now close to minimum brightness during its 745-day pulsation cycle."