Electronic Telegram No. 177
Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION
M.S. 18, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
IAUSUBS@CFA.HARVARD.EDU or FAX 617-495-7231 (subscriptions)
CBAT@CFA.HARVARD.EDU (science)
URL http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/cbat.html


AS 325
     S. Otero, Buenos Aires, Argentina, reports that AS 325, an
eclipsing binary (period 513 days), has entered a rapid decline
phase and is currently near mid-eclipse; the current eclipse
started on June 5, and eclipses last about 86 days.  AS 325 is
presently at V = 12.0 (2 mag fainter then prior to eclipse, and
over 1 mag fainter than during previous eclipses (IBVS 5608;
http://www.astrouw.edu.pl/cgi-asas/asas_lc/185004-2624.3).
S. Howell, WIYN Observatory, reports that spectra obtained during
June 28-July 2 reveal that the H emission is weaker by 50 percent,
while the Fe II emission remains constant, and the previously strong
Ca II H and K absorption is nearly absent (Cool et al. 2005, PASP
117, 462).  Spectra from July 1 show a slightly increasing blue
continuum mainly consisting of emission lines and obvious TiO
absorption in the red.  Mid-eclipse is expected for July 18, and
multicolor observations and additional spectra are needed to confirm
that the cool component is the one that is being eclipsed.  The
Tycho Reference Catalogue (via SIMBAD) lists the position of AS 325
as R.A. = 18h50m03s.57, Decl. = -26o24'15".4 (equinox 2000.0).


NOTE: These 'Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams' are sometimes
      superseded by text appearing later in the formal IAU Circulars.

                         (C) Copyright 2005 CBAT
2005 July 12                     (CBET 177)               Daniel W. E. Green