THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 543 1991 July 18 17.47UT Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise, Basingstoke, Hants, RG22 4PP, England. Telephone: (0256)471074 Int:+44256471074 Telex: 9312111261 Answerback: TA G JANET BOXES: GMH at UK.AC.CAM.ASTRONOMY.STARLINK or GUYH at UK.AC.SUSSEX.CLUSTER TELECOM GOLD: 10074:MIK2885 PRESTEL 256471074 ------------------------------------------------------------------- UK NOVA/SUPERNOVA PATROL The following figures for the 1990 Patrol Activity have been released today (1989 in brackets): Nova Patrol Visual Patrol Time 91.7 hours (89.4) No. visual patrols 639 (663) No. photo. patrols 794 (1562) No. reports 63 (73) Supernova Patrol No. visual patrols 6958 (3005) No. photo. patrols 64 ( 232) Obs. of SNs 12 ( 276) Total Observations 7034 (3513) No.reports 95 ( 308) COMET LEVY (1991q) Albert Jones, Nelson, New Zealand, reports the following m1 estimates: June 29.77UT, 9.6; July 1.78, 9.2; 2.77, 9.2; 3.77, 9.0; 4.77, 9.0 ASTEROIDAL OCCULTATIONS Roland Boninsegna, Belgium, reports the following possible events predicted by EAON: Aug 10 20h04.5mUT Asteroid:191 Kolga V=12.69 Star:PPM 512593 mag V=9.10 Aug 12 00h57.0mUT Asteroid: 702 Alauda V=13.16 Star: PPM 67664 mag ? Aug 27 18h57.7mUT Asteroid: 3 Juno V=9.81 Star: SAO 142983 Further details including maps can be obtained from the Editor. PERIODIC HARTLEY 2 (1991t) Herman Mikuz, Yugoslavia, reports an observation of this comet on 1991 July 16.07UT at m1=10.0 using a 0.20-m reflector. The coma diameter was estimated at 5', and DC=5. RX ANDROMEDAE Patrick Schmeer, Germany, reports that RX And is fading from a standstill (cf E527): July 8.991UT, 11.5; 10.044, 11.7; 11.031, 11.8; 12.056, 13.1; 15.024, 14.1 AG CARINAE P. M. Kilmartin, Mount John University Observatory, relays a report from F. M. Bateson to the effect that the S Dor-type variable AG Car (R.A. = 10h54m11s, Decl. = -60 11.2, 1950.0) has been very slowly brightening since July 1990 and appears now to be heading for a novalike outburst similar to that observed in 1963. Recent monthly mean magnitudes, each from about 70 visual observations, are: 1991 Jan., 7.83; Feb., 7.87; Mar., 7.81; Apr., 7.77; May, 7.67; June, 7.60; July to date, 7.52 and rising. IAUC 5307 Guy M Hurst