>> I wonder how often it gets brighter than 4th mag.... Belgian observer Eric Broens has done an extensive historical study of the star back to the 17th Century when it was discovered. See his post to the AAVSO discussion list: http://mira.aavso.org/pipermail/aavso-discussion/2006-July/010097.html This is the brightest maxium in more than a century! \Brian -- See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please send personal replies to the author, not the list.