T CrB in 1946. This light curve shows the
B-band (diamonds) and
V-band (circles) magnitudes only for the main peak. Note that the light curve starts out fairly blue, but steadily returns
to the much redder color of the underlying red giant companion star. The peak magnitude is fairly uncertain, as a slightly
earlier date would lead to a brighter peak and a slightly later date would lead to a fainter peak. The peak chosen was simply
that which gave a peak of
V = 2.5 which corresponds to the brightest observed magnitude for the 1866 outburst. (The reported magnitude of 5.1 on day
−4 is likely an error of date.) The primary peak of T CrB corresponds to a very fast light curve.