THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 124 1988 Feb 19 07.24UT. 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 Michel Verdenet, Bourbon-Lancy, France reports that he has observed this nova on 1988 Feb 14.3UT at mv=15.4. Observers are reminded that photographs and visual attempts are essential as this nova may brighten again. COMET SHOEMAKER (1988b) Dan Green has derived the following elements for the comet reported on E123: T = 1987 Mar.20.75 ET Peri= 124.33) Node= 324.48) 1950.0 q = 5.0335 AU Incl= 80.54) Ephemeris: 1988 ET RA (1950) DEC Earth Sun m1 Feb 19 09h59.96m +34 18.0' 29 09 49.54 +33 41.8 4.783 5.674 16.4 Mar 10 09 40.02 +32 55.2 20 09 31.78 +31 59.6 5.013 5.744 16.6 IAUC 4548 COMET MAURY (1988c) Green telexes that Maury et al have discovered a new comet: 1988 Feb 15.31944UT RA 10h34m21.5s DEC +34 13'40"(1950) mag 18 17.39062 10 28 43.4 +36 34 24 17 Guy M Hurst