THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 190 1988 Aug 14 10.13UT. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------- ALPHA ORIONIS John Isles, Cyprus e-mails the following visual magnitude estimates which indicate that Alpha Orionis is fading: July 24-Aug 5: mean 0.54 (9 obs) Aug 6.09UT, 0.7; 8.08, 0.7; 9.10, 0.8; 11.10, 0.9; 12.09, 1.1. He comments that this may be the 'pop' which occurs every 5-6 years when the star ejects matter. (Sky and Telescope 1983 Dec p501). We URGENTLY need estimates of this star to establish if the fade is confirmed so that we can alert professional astronomers to the need for multicolour photometry etc. Please e-mail using the EXPRESS option. COMET MACHHOLZ (1988j) No observations have been received of this object. The discoverer's name should read Donald E.Machholz who is based at Loma Prieta, CA. The discovery, with 27x120B, was of his fourth comet. R CRB J.Danielsson, Sweden, e-mails the following recent estimates: Aug 1.96UT, 8.3 (K.G.Andersson, Solna); 7.92, 10.3 (Margareta Westlund, Uppsala); 8.92, 10.4 (Andersson) EDITORIAL Have returned from two weeks sun-scorched weather in Norway. The fjords are really magnificent! I have 94 e-mail and snail mail messages which I am working through. Thanks to Peter and Alan for holding the fort. I am now ready to get back into full gear so start e-mailing! Guy M Hurst