------------------------------------------------------------------- THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 885 1994 Sep 19 20.20UT Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise, Basingstoke, Hants, RG22 4PP,England. Telephone/FAX(0256)471074 Int:+44256471074 INTERNET: GMH at AST.STAR.RL.AC.UK or GMH at GXVG.AST.CAM.AC.UK ------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTICE CONCERNING POSITIONS OF NOVAE AND SUPERNOVAE At the recent meetings of the IAU, Commissions 27 (Variable Stars) and 28 (on behalf of its Working Group on Supernovae) agreed that positions of novae and supernovae should be specified in 2000.0 coordinates (more specifically, the FK5/J2000.0 system) with effect from 1995 Jan. 1. The decision was endorsed by Commission 6 (Astronomical Telegrams), which oversees the publication of IAUC circulars. IAUC 6077 Editor: Could I also add the need for [1950], [2000] or any other to ALWAYS be quoted, particularly when reporting discovery of possible novae or supernovae to TA HQ. SATURN A. Sanchez-Lavega, Universidad del Pais Vasco, along with J.Gomez, J. Lecacheux, F. Colas, and I. Miyazaki, reports that continuous CCD imaging of Saturn at several wavelengths from 0.4 to 1.0 micron has been performed at the Pic-du-Midi 1.05-m telescope, and in Spain and Japan with 0.4-m telescopes, showing (at least since mid-July) the presence of a white spot preceded by a dark column in Saturn's equatorial zone -- which on Sept. 10.01 UT was at longitude 65o (System I), with a drift rate (relative to System I) of +10o.2/day between July 28 and Sept. 10. IAUC 6079 UZ BOOTIS Further to the announcements on E874 and E875, it is apparent that this star's behaviour was very unusual during the decline stage. A preliminary light curve has already been published in 'The Astronomer', 1994 September issue (cover). Nick James, Chelmsford, England reports astrometry of UZ Boo obtained with 0.30-m reflector + CCD: 14h 44m 01.30s +22d 00' 55.6" (2000.0) Using facilities provided by the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge he finds a POSS candidate at 14h 44m 01.30s +22d 00' 55.0" (2000.0) This has R magnitude 19.43 and B mag 20.16. To assist with a full analysis of the outburst light curve, could all observers please re-submit their observations listing the FULL ESTIMATE in each case (i.e. comparison stars and intervals) AND the sequence used (organisation and chart revision date). We have received 120 reports to date which gives a sound basis for detailed review of the star's behaviour providing we also obtain the additional information now requested. Thank you for your assistance. Guy M Hurst