MIRA estimates back to 1660

From an alert by John Toone on the BAA VSS Alert (Yahoo Group).

Mira
BAA VSS records indicate that the current maximum of Mira is the brightestsince 1906 which in turn was probably only exceeded by the maxima of 1660 and1779. I plan to do a comparison between the data on the current maximum andthat available for 1906 and earlier. Non BAA VSS observers are invited tocontribute and I will especially welcome southern hemisphere data. Observers needto provide their FULL ESTIMATES (step or fractional) for February and Marchso I can reduce them to the same photometric scale as the historical data.Data without the full estimate as routinely submitted to TA/AAVSO/VSNET is notsufficient for this project.Mira is becoming progressively more difficult to accurately estimate inMarch as solar conjunction approaches and it descends into the twilight glow.With it being so bright the comparison stars are some distance away and hence extinction effects are unavoidable. This is where southern hemisphere observerswould be particularly helpful as they would see the chief comparison starAlpha Cet in the opposite sense with respect to Mira to those in the northernhemisphere. Observers should report exactly what they see and not make anycorrections for extinction.CCD observations would also be welcome providing full details of thecomparison and check star values are given.

The above goes to show how valuable it is to have a recorded history within the subject, and the above was reproduced with the kind permission of John Toone (BAA VSS Alert Group)