THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 36 1987 Jul 05  15.05UT.
Telecom Gold 72:MAG60138
Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16, Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise, Basingstoke,
Hants, RG22 4PP, England. Telephone:(0256)471074.Int:+44256471074
Telex:265871(MONREF G) Quote"72:MAG60138 ATT G.HURST"in FIRST line.
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Comet Nishikawa-Takamizawa-Tago(1987c)

D.I.Olsson-Steel et al Lund Observatory report on IAUC 4414:
"This comet may be the parent of the epsilon Geminid meteor shower.
The theoretical radiant on Oct 7, when the comet's orbit is within
0.05AU of the earth, is RA 93deg, DEC+28deg (velocity=72km/s). The
displacement in RA from the epsilon Geminids, which occur 10 days
later, can be accomodated by the radiant diurnal motion. Of
immediate importance is the possibility of a shower at the other
node: the comet's orbit apaproaches the earth to within 0.12AU on
July 21 with a theoretical radiant at RA 35deg, DEC +19deg.
Northern hemisphere visual observations would be difficult since
the radiant transit is 6h40m local solar time."

Robert McNaught e-mails a note that Comet 1964 VIII (Ikeya) has
also been associated with these meteors and that Comets 1964VIII
and 1987c may also be associated with each other. Taking the
nominal periods of 1987c (2483.23 yrs), 1964 VIII (391.44yrs), he
finds that after 3 and 19 revolutions respectively. the T dates
were 5461BC and 5472BC. The angular difference between the
directions of perihelia are only 5.8deg and the spatial distance
between the perihelia points 0.098AU. It is thus possible that the
two comets split near perihelion during that return. Assuming the
meteors are part of a complex, then the period of possible activity
is from early July for 1964 VIII to late July for 1987c, with
radiants in southern Aries. The optimum latitudes for pre-dawn
observations are just north of the equator, with the field already
well visible. Rob encourages visual observations during this
period.

Outburst of VY Aquarii

In response to the alert on E-circular 35, 34 observations have
been reported. Selected results:
July 1.163UT, 11.9 (J.Isles, Cyprus); 1.469, 10.9 (R.McNaught,
Australia); 2.024, 10.7 (Isles); 2.053, 11.0 (S.Lubbock,Bridgend);
2.730, 11.3 (A.Pearce, Australia); 2.902, 11.8 (Isles); 3.52, 12.6
(D.Seargent, Australia); 3.831, 13.7 (McNaught); 4.041, 13.7pv
(M.Mobberley, Bury St Edmunds); 4.642, 15.5: (McNaught); 5.013,
approx 15pv (Mobberley).
There are possible anomalies on descending branch which should
continue to be carefully monitored.
A chart and sequence appears in TA 225 (1983 Jan).

TA E-Index

We welcome the following who should be added to the list on E-circ
30:
72:MAG90713 Nick James, Chelmsford.
72:MAG40418 T.Laban, Orpington.
Guy M Hurst