THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 577 1991 November 5 20.20UT Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise, Basingstoke, Hants, RG22 4PP,England. Telephone/FAX(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 ------------------------------------------------------------------- FAX AND ANSWERING MACHINE Confirming the preliminary message, I now have a combined FAX and answering machine installed at TA HQ through the kind assistance of the British Astronomical Association. The existing telephone number of (0256) 471074 is now used for all services. In the event of a discovery during the night, the editor has a few rings in which to wake up and answer the call. Failing this the machine takes over and will automatically accept a fax if the usual signals are sent, or in the case of a voice call it will invite you to leave a recorded message on tape. On most occasions this tape will be checked early morning but, as a precaution, it is suggested that in addition to leaving your recorded message that you also telephone one of the back-up numbers detailed in TA. The BAA and TA are currently investigating possible new FAX services to offer astronomers and we will keep you informed. EDITORS ABSENCE I shall be away from Friday evening and will return Sunday night, during which time I shall not be contactable. Please refer any queries to Martin Mobberley or Denis Buczynski during that period. EF PEGASI Further estimates of the recent outburst (cf E570,573,574): 1991 Oct 14.913UT, [13.0 (P.Schmeer - correction to E570); 22.74, 11.7 (Schmeer); 23.85, 12.8 (T.Kinnunen, Finland - stars well split at x250); 25.90, 12.2 (Schmeer); 26.81, 12.4 (Schmeer). J. DeYoung and R. Schmidt, U.S. Naval Observatory, communicate: "With the 0.6-m reflector, 374 CCD images were made in the Kron- Cousins I band between Oct. 18.988 and 27.047 UT, during which time seven maxima were observed. A linear least-squares fit to these observations and to the Kyoto report (E573) yields the ephemeris HJDmax = 2448547.954 (+/- 0.006) + 0.08696 (+/- 0.00008)E. The period lies outside the period gap for cataclysmic variables. In the I band, EF Peg continues to decline in brightness at 0.1 mag/day, and the I superhump peak-to-peak amplitude has declined from 0.3 to 0.2 mag over the above interval; the maximum-minimum ratio is 0.3. Secondary 'humps' of amplitude < 0.1 mag in I at phase 0.6 were observed." IAUC 5378 TASV 1108+55 Mike Collins points out that this star was incorrectly designated on E576 both in the header and the e-chart title and should read as above. V1251 CYGNI Taichi Kato, Japan, e-mails that CCD photometry with the Ouda 0.6-m reflector revealed superhumps at 1991 Nov 3.448, 3.524, 3.600UT (amplitude 0.25-0.35 mag in V). The amplitude was only 0.05 mag on Oct 28. The development of superhumps was very slow for an SU UMa star. This explains the peculiar 'nova-like' appearance of the light curve. Additional estimates by Schmeer (cf E576): Oct 26.833UT, 12.5 (revised); 29.755, 12.6; 31.977, 12.7; Nov 1.778, 12.8; 3.769, 13.2. The estimate of Oct 26.89 by Moriyama on E576 should read 26.394. Guy M Hurst