The 2008 outburst of the cataclysmic variable V358 Lyrae

TL;DR

This paper documents the 2008 outburst of V358 Lyrae, providing detailed photometric analysis that supports its classification as a WZ Sge-type dwarf nova, the first confirmed outburst since 1965.

Contribution

First detailed photometric study of V358 Lyrae's 2008 outburst, confirming its classification as a WZ Sge-type dwarf nova and providing insights into its outburst behavior.

Findings

Outburst lasted at least 23 days with a 7.3 magnitude amplitude.

No large-scale modulations like superhumps were observed.

Supports classification of V358 Lyr as a WZ Sge-type dwarf nova.

Abstract

We report photometry of V358 Lyr during its 2008 November outburst, the first confirmed outburst since 1965. At its brightest the star was V=15.9 and the outburst amplitude was at least 7.3 magnitudes and lasted at least 23 days. The first 4 days of the outburst corresponded to the plateau phase and the star then faded at 0.13 mag/d over the next 7 days. There was then a drop in brightness to a temporary minimum at mag 19.5, which lasted less than 4 days, after which the star recovered to its previous brightness. The final stages of the outburst were poorly covered. Time resolved photometry during the outburst revealed no obvious large-scale modulations such as superhumps. Although some small apparently periodic signals were detected, their significance is uncertain. Our observations, and those of previous researchers, support V358 Lyr being a dwarf nova and are consistent with it being a member of the WZ Sge family.