SIMBAD references

F. Walter, Stony Brook University; H. E. Bond, Space Telescope Science Institute; and A. Pasten, Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory, report that a spectrum obtained with the SMARTS 1.5-m telescope spectrograph of HD 109962 (= NSV 19448) on Jan. 16.2 UT shows He II 468.6-nm emission (equivalent width -0.29 nm) superposed on the star's F2 V spectrum. As described by S. Otero (http://ar.geocities.com/varsao/NSV_19448.htm), HD 109962 is an eclipsing binary with a period of 0.89 days that additionally shows outbursts of about 0.8 mag and duration about 40 days occurring about once a year, according to ASAS-3 data, with the latest outburst having begun in late December 2005. The He II emission suggests a transient source of ionizing radiation, perhaps a compact object in an eccentric orbit accreting in the stellar wind. Observations at all wavelengths, including x-ray and ultraviolet, are strongly encouraged.