THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 86 1987 Nov 20 22.55UT. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------- NOVA VULPECULAE 1987 The object announced on E-85 has been spectroscopically confirmed as a nova at Whipple Observatory, Amado, Arizona. AAVSO Alert 98. Preliminary sequence (positions for 1950): A 19h05m55s +21 37'03" Mag 6.2 B 19 04 45 +22 05 40 7.1 C 19 06 00 +21 41 58 7.6 D 19 02 29 +22 00 53 8.4 E 19 03 00 +22 59.8' 8.7 Reported magnitudes have shown scatter of over 1 magnitude on the same night and may suggest rapid fluctuations. Hourly magnitude estimates are desirable and it would be helpful if these could be e-mailed daily showing the date, time, full estimate, reduced magnitude, class and instrument. Guy M Hurst