THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 36 1987 Jul 05 15.05UT. Telecom Gold 72:MAG60138 Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16, Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise, Basingstoke, Hants, RG22 4PP, England. Telephone:(0256)471074.Int:+44256471074 Telex:265871(MONREF G) Quote"72:MAG60138 ATT G.HURST"in FIRST line. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Comet Nishikawa-Takamizawa-Tago(1987c) D.I.Olsson-Steel et al Lund Observatory report on IAUC 4414: "This comet may be the parent of the epsilon Geminid meteor shower. The theoretical radiant on Oct 7, when the comet's orbit is within 0.05AU of the earth, is RA 93deg, DEC+28deg (velocity=72km/s). The displacement in RA from the epsilon Geminids, which occur 10 days later, can be accomodated by the radiant diurnal motion. Of immediate importance is the possibility of a shower at the other node: the comet's orbit apaproaches the earth to within 0.12AU on July 21 with a theoretical radiant at RA 35deg, DEC +19deg. Northern hemisphere visual observations would be difficult since the radiant transit is 6h40m local solar time." Robert McNaught e-mails a note that Comet 1964 VIII (Ikeya) has also been associated with these meteors and that Comets 1964VIII and 1987c may also be associated with each other. Taking the nominal periods of 1987c (2483.23 yrs), 1964 VIII (391.44yrs), he finds that after 3 and 19 revolutions respectively. the T dates were 5461BC and 5472BC. The angular difference between the directions of perihelia are only 5.8deg and the spatial distance between the perihelia points 0.098AU. It is thus possible that the two comets split near perihelion during that return. Assuming the meteors are part of a complex, then the period of possible activity is from early July for 1964 VIII to late July for 1987c, with radiants in southern Aries. The optimum latitudes for pre-dawn observations are just north of the equator, with the field already well visible. Rob encourages visual observations during this period. Outburst of VY Aquarii In response to the alert on E-circular 35, 34 observations have been reported. Selected results: July 1.163UT, 11.9 (J.Isles, Cyprus); 1.469, 10.9 (R.McNaught, Australia); 2.024, 10.7 (Isles); 2.053, 11.0 (S.Lubbock,Bridgend); 2.730, 11.3 (A.Pearce, Australia); 2.902, 11.8 (Isles); 3.52, 12.6 (D.Seargent, Australia); 3.831, 13.7 (McNaught); 4.041, 13.7pv (M.Mobberley, Bury St Edmunds); 4.642, 15.5: (McNaught); 5.013, approx 15pv (Mobberley). There are possible anomalies on descending branch which should continue to be carefully monitored. A chart and sequence appears in TA 225 (1983 Jan). TA E-Index We welcome the following who should be added to the list on E-circ 30: 72:MAG90713 Nick James, Chelmsford. 72:MAG40418 T.Laban, Orpington. Guy M Hurst