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.
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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