THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 260 1989 Feb 12 10.50UT. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------- YZ CANCRI H.Feijth, Netherlands, reports an outburst of this UG star which is on the La Palma Project (due to finish at the end of Feb). On Feb 11.77UT he estimated it at 12.9v. R.Bouma, Netherlands, confirmed the outburst on Feb 11.81UT, 12.9. The news has been relayed to La Palma via STARLINK. Please e-mail news of any outbursts immediately, until the project finishes. Additionally all estimates should be submitted on Fridays until the end of the month. TA VARIABLE STAR CATALOGUE A new edition of this catalogue (2/89) has been released in paper form. It contains 566 entries and covers availability of 377 different charts. The cost is #3.00 post paid. A complete set of charts can be supplied for #45.00 post paid in UK. Europe- please add 20% to cover extra handling costs. PULSAR IN SN 1987A Various observers have reported the discovery of an optical pulsar in SN 1987A in LMC. Detection was made with Cerro Tololo 4-m telescope on Jan 18 when the object varied between mag 19-18. IAUC 4735 P/COMET PONS-WINNECKE (1989g) This comet has been recovered by J.Gibson with the 1.5-m refl. at Palomar on Jan 17 at m2=20.5. The astrometry is in line with orbital elements on MPC 13699. IAUC 4736 SN 1989E IN MCG +5-32-45 C.Pollas, Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur, reports his discovery on Feb 7 Schmidt Plate of a possible SN in MCG +5-32-45. The object is located at: RA 13h35m19.91s DEC +29 03'24.4". On Feb 7.17UT, B=18.6. IAUC 4736 Guy M Hurst