THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 75 1987 Oct 19 19.11UT. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW COMET SHOEMAKER-HOLT Green telexes that Shoemaker and Holt have discovered a comet with available positions as follows: 1987 Oct 18.33524 RA 1h07.5m DEC +08 50'(1950) m1 15 19.48020 1 06.5 +08 47 15 Green quotes the designation as 1987w but this has already been assigned to Helin and that comet is not at this position. It is therefore assumed this is a new object and the designation should be 1987z but a correction is awaited. VY CMa University of Colorado astronomers are monitoring this variable (RA 07h20m55s DEC -25 40.2',1950) in the ultraviolet with the IUE satellite in the coming months. A TA chart is available by e-mail request and it would be helpful if those who can get this low could monitor and e-mail results weekly. EYEPIECES Please note John Hosty of our group has a variety of new eyepieces for sale. Further details can be obtained by e-mailing him on MAG31683. T CrB Several observers have commented that this recurrent nova has been fainter than usual recently. This follows an earlier report on E-28 when D.Branchett suspected variation during May. Please observe this star every night and e-mail results weekly or sooner if unexpected activity noted. Guy M Hurst