OGLE 2004-BLG-347 shows two smooth peaks

First posted on homepage: 31-Jul-2004
Moved to news archive: 16-Aug-2004

After previous OGLE and PLANET data on event OGLE 2004-BLG-347 have shown a first peak around HJD = 2453207.6 +/- 0.2 (21-Jul, 1:30 UT +/- 4 h) at about 1.05 mag above baseline and a slight decrease by about 0.05 mag until HJD = 2453212.0 +/- 0.5 (25-Jul, 12:00 UT +/- 12 h), subsequent data collected by PLANET with the 1.54m Danish telescope at ESO LaSilla (Chile) show another increase by 0.15 mag until HJD =2453217.73 (31-Jul, 5:30 UT) as reported in PLANET anomaly alert 2004 #14 (issued 31-Jul, 8:05 UT).

Continued observations as reported in PLANET anomaly update 2004 #14-1 (issued 6-Aug, 7:45 UT) carried out by PLANET with the 1.54m Danishtelescope at ESO LaSilla (Chile), the Canopus 1.0m telescope near Hobart (Tasmania, Australia), and the Perth 0.6m telescope at Bickley (Western Australia) reveal a smooth second peak around HJD = 2453219.5 +/- 0.5 (2-Aug, 0:00 UT +/- 12 h) with a magnification of about 1.25 mag above baseline in agreement with OGLE data taken over the same period. The event is expected to approach a light curve roughly consistent with that of point-like sources and lenses within several days after the second peak.

In general, lightcurves with two smooth peaks as observed in this event are compatible with a stellar binary lens or a binary source. A closer analysis will show which of these interpretations is the more likely.

The progress of this event can be seen on our regularly updated lightcurve.

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