THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 79 1987 Oct 29 20.14UT. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------- POSSIBLE COMET = Q1987/44 J.Danielsson e-mails that A.Larson, Sweden has reported a possible new mag 9 comet observed with C11 x150. It was first seen on 1987 Oct 25.8UT near NGC 5985 (Galaxy RA 15h38m.6 DEC +59 30'm1950, mv=11.4). It was again seen on Oct 28.0UT having moved west, with a new estimated position: RA 15h40m DEC +59.2deg, 1950.0. The object's diameter was about 15-20'. Searches of the area are URGENTLY REQUIRED. NEW VARIABLE IN AQUILA = Q1987/43 Rob McNaught, Siding Spring Observatory, e-mails his discovery of a new variable at RA 19h 18m.0 DEC -04 04'(1950), 5'N of SAO 143290. The object has brightened from mag 11 to 9.5 between Oct 14-25 and was also bright early March this year. D.McAdam, Telford, reports that there is a hint of an image in this position on his photo of 1983 June 13 at approx mag 13.5pv. P/COMET SHOEMAKER-HOLT (1987z) Elements by Green: T =1988 Mar 23.137ET Peri=197.117 ) e = 0.27053 Node=214.041 ) 1950.0 a = 4.33805 AU Incl= 4.282 ) n = 0.109084 q = 3.14494 AU P = 9.04 years Ephemeris: 1987 ET RA(1950) DEC(1950) Earth Sun m1 Oct 22 1h05.96m +08 30.0 Nov 1 1 00.50 +07 42.3 2.279 3.227 14.9 11 0 56.22 +07 01.2 21 0 53.55 +06 30.2 2.410 3.206 15.0 Dec 1 0 52.77 +06 11.6 11 0 53.97 +06 06.2 2.619 3.188 15.1 IAUC 4479 P/COMET MUELLER (1987a1) Elements by Green: T = 1987 Oct. 18.322 ET Peri= 18.879 ) e = 0.33505 Node= 3.688 ) 1950.0 a = 4.07083 AU Incl= 8.571 ) n = 0.120000 q = 2.70690 AU P = 8.21 years IAUC 4480 The comet is currently about mag 17.5 and fading. An ephemeris can be supplied on request. Guy M Hurst