THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 705 1993 Jan 31 11.45UT 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 TELECOM GOLD: 10074:MIK2885 GMH at UK.AC.RUTHERFORD.STARLINK.ASTROPHYSICS STARLINK: RLSAC::GMH GMH at UK.AC.CAM.ASTRONOMY.STARLINK STARLINK: CAVAD::GMH ------------------------------------------------------------------- PERIODIC COMET TEMPEL 1 (1993c) J. V. Scotti, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, reports his recovery of this comet with the Spacewatch 0.9-m telescope at Kitt Peak: 1993 UT R.A. (2000) Decl. m2 Jan. 21.19826 6 33 22.43 +31 00 14.4 20.7 21.20728 6 33 21.95 +31 00 15.0 21.2 21.21597 6 33 21.49 +31 00 15.6 21.2 21.22474 6 33 21.02 +31 00 16.3 21.0 22.26829 6 32 26.75 +31 01 11.8 21.2 22.27729 6 32 26.30 +31 01 12.2 21.4 22.28610 6 32 25.82 +31 01 12.6 21.3 The object is of essentially stellar appearance and the position in close agreement with the prediction on MPC 18258. IAUC 5698 SUPERNOVA 1993C IN NGC 2954 C. Pollas, Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur, reports his discovery of an apparent supernova of mag about 18 in the elliptical galaxy NGC 2954, found on a Kodak Technical Pan film taken Jan. 27.04 UT and confirmed on a similar film taken Jan. 28.03 by D. Albanese. SN 1993C is located at R.A. = 9h37m39s.70, Decl. = +15 09'49".8 (equinox 1950.0), which is 4".8 west and 49".7 north of the galaxy's centre. Nearby stars have the following positional end figures: 40s.83, 48".6 (V = 17.6); 38s.71, 10'30".0 (V about 14). S. Benetti and E. Cappellaro, Asiago Astrophysical Observatory, confirm the presence of the new object, citing the offsets as 3" west, 50" north; with the 1.82-m telescope (+ CCD camera) at Cima Ekar, they obtained the following magnitudes, which they note are consistent with a type-Ia supernova about 1 month after maximum light: Jan. 27.92 UT, B = 18.7, V = 17.7, R = 17.4. IAUC 5699 V635 CASSIOPEIAE Recent estimates by Gary Poyner, Birmingham: 1993 Jan 20.812UT, 15.2; 22.834, 15.3; 25.838, 15.2; 26.001, 15.2 According to professional astronomers, some activity in visual magnitudes is imminent and we would appreciate immediate advice if a significant change occurs. FN ANDROMEDAE Further estimates of the recent outburst (cf E701): 1993 Jan 12.881UT, 13.8pv (Nick James, Chelmsford); 13.879, 13.6 (Bill Worraker, Didcot): 13.946, 13.7 (Gary Poyner). MARKARIAN 421 Recent reports suggest a further brightening of this object is in progress (cf E618): To:John Toone, Manchester Pg:Gary Poyner Wk: Bill Worraker 1992 Nov 24.222UT,13.3 (Wk); 28.149, 13.5 (To); Dec 3.256, 13.5 (Wk); 4.043, 13.6 (Pg); 16.974, 13.4 (Pg); 22.975, 13.4 (Pg); 28.272, 13.0 (Wk); 29.277, 12.9 (Wk). 1993 Jan 1.011, 13.3 (Pg); 13.940, 13.1 (Pg); 13.953, 13.0 (Wk); 17.902, 13.1 (Pg); 18.269, 12.8 (Wk); 19.252, 12.7 (Wk). Guy M Hurst