THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 399 1990 Apr 4 17.10UT Microlink:MAG60138 JANET:GMH at UK.AC.RO-GREENWICH.STARLINK Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise, Basingstoke, Hants, RG22 4PP, England. Telephone: (0256)471074 Int:+44256471074 Telex: 94082518 Answerback: TAGUY ------------------------------------------------------------------ NSV 02557 (Q1990/26) Mike Collins, Sandy, reports that he has identified a variable object on UK Nova/Supernova Patrol photographs of 1990 Mar 14.9UT, when the magnitude was 10.7 (K2415 film). On 1989 Oct 8.2UT it was estimated at 9.4.The position is: RA 05h38.3m DEC +12 16'(1950) which coincides with the suspected variable NSV 02557. An e-mail version of the chart is available from Mike Collins (MAG36908) and paper version from the Editor. NO SUPERNOVA IN NGC 3359 (cf E398) Several observers have reported that they have checked NGC 3359 but find no new object corresponding to the star suspected by Dave Greenwood on Mar 27 (not Mar 28 as stated on E398). COMET SKORICHENKO-GEORGE (1989e1) Improved parabolic orbital elements from MPC 16205: T = 1990 Apr. 11.9389 ET Peri. = 137.8482 Node = 279.3118 1950.0 q = 1.569001 AU Incl. = 59.3652 Ephemeris: 1990 ET R.A. (1950) Decl. Delta r m1 Apr. 4 2 07.03 +41 54.8 9 2 30.25 +41 23.6 2.219 1.570 8.7 14 2 52.72 +40 40.7 19 3 14.30 +39 47.4 2.283 1.572 8.8 24 3 34.91 +38 45.1 29 3 54.49 +37 35.4 2.360 1.586 8.9 May 4 4 13.03 +36 19.5 9 4 30.56 +34 58.6 2.446 1.612 9.0 14 4 47.12 +33 33.9 19 5 02.77 +32 06.2 2.538 1.649 9.2 IAUC 4984 COMET CERNIS-KIUCHI-NAKAMURA (1990b) Improved parabolic orbital elements from MPC 16205, based on observations Mar. 17-27: T = 1990 Mar. 17.296 ET Peri. = 100.588 Node = 347.727 1950.0 q = 1.06849 AU Incl. = 48.138 Ephemeris: 1990 ET R.A. (1950) Decl. Delta r m1 Apr. 4 3 17.17 +51 48.6 9 4 01.76 +52 04.5 1.299 1.133 8.6 14 4 46.28 +51 19.9 19 5 28.29 +49 39.1 1.322 1.197 8.9 24 6 06.19 +47 13.2 29 6 39.38 +44 16.2 1.392 1.277 9.3 IAUC 4986 COMET AUSTIN (1989c1) Rob McNaught, observing from Prestwick, reports observation of this comet at m1=5.2 on 1990 Apr 3.85UT. No tail was seen, and the coma was of 1.5' diameter, DC7 (9x63B) DWARF NOVA ALERT 40 different dwarf novae were observed and reported last night. A summary was telephoned to professional astronomers and IR Gem is a possible target for IUE as it enters a supermaximum. Coverage of all dwarf novae is needed again tonight with deadline for telephone reports 10pm BST (21.00UT). Guy M Hurst