THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 400 1990 Apr 6 20.25UT 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------ CY UMA Patrick Schmeer, Federal Republic of Germany, reports that CY UMa is in outburst (cf E280, E307): 1990 Apr 3.97UT, [13.6; 5.04, 13.0 5.85, 12.2. Stefan Korth, Germany, reports a confirnmatory observation on Apr 5.892UT at 12.2. Schmeer recorded an outburst on 1989 June 1.94UT at magnitude 12.6 (IAUC 4791). DWARF NOVA ALERT This programme resulted in IR Gem be selected as the priority object for IUE observation. The star entered a supermaximum phase and observations by our group proved invaluable in assisting professionals with planning their observing run. Many thanks to all our contributors. Further results will appear in TA in due course. COMET AUSTIN (1989c1) Selected visual magnitude estimates: Apr 4.81UT, 4.7 (J.Jahn, Germany, 7x50B) Apr 4.83UT, 5.4 (B.Granslo, Norway, 7x35B) Apr 4.83UT, 5.5 (O.Midtskogen, Norway, 8x50B) Apr 5.83UT, 5.4 (P.Birtwhistle, 11x80B) Apr 5.83UT, 4.4 (G.Hurst, Basingstoke, 15x80B); Apr 5.84UT, 4.4 (G.Keitch, Wrington, 20x80B) EDITORIAL ABSENCE I shall be away from Saturday morning until Sunday evening and not contactable. Please refer queries to either Denis Buczynski or Martin Mobberley during that time.