THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 91 1987 Nov 26 20.05UT. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------- OBJECT IN M31= Q1987/53 No further news has been received from Moscow relating to the reported object (E-89,90). It remains possible that the object was present on Nov 21 and may have been a fast nova or recurrent eruptive object. Could photographers please check back against all old photos of the region and if any suspects are found please send the negatives for analysis. Could all observers continue to monitor the reported position in case the object has a further outburst. Brian Marsden has asked me to pass on his personal thanks to all our observers for the efforts on Nov 24 which involved over 30 observers. He mentions that Denis Buczynski's result was the first received after a worldwide alert. Well done everyone! POSSIBLE COMET =Q1987/54 Brian Marsden asks for assistance with a further possible discovery made in Japan. This is a possible comet with the following positions: 1987 Nov 25.58125UT RA 3h41m03.22s DEC +41 22'54.5"(1950) 25.58188 3 40 55.68 +41 20 29.1 Daily motion: RA -3.85m DEC -74.3'. Calculated position for Nov 26.8UT RA 3h36.2m DEC +39 50'(1950). Positive or negative results urgently needed. P/TEMPEL 1 (1987e1) J.V.Scotti, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, reports his recovery of this comet with the 0.91-m SPACEWATCH telescope at Kitt Peak on Oct 27 at m2=20.9. The comet is close to predictions on MPC 11501. IAUC 4498 (3173) MCNAUGHT Congratulations to Rob McNaught on the naming of asteroid 3173 (discovered by Bowell on 1981 Nov 24) after him. Named by the discoverer, following a suggestion by D.A.J.Seargent. (3174) ALCOCK = 1984 UV Congrats also to George Alcock who has also be honoured. 3174 was also found by Bowell (1984 Oct 26). Guy M Hurst