THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 101 1987 Dec 22 19.19UT. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------- EDITORIAL NOTICE This circulars service will continue uninterrupted throughout the Christmas period and possible discoveries and queries can therefore continue to be e-mailed to MAG60138. COMET BRADFIELD (1987s) Chris Lord, Forest Row, has reported the detection of a possible 'double nucleus' in this comet when viewed at higher telescopic powers. Could observers please check this and e-mail their results. NOVA VULPECULAE 1987 Martin Ratcliffe, Armagh Planetarium, has sent a photo by Patrick Corvan, caretaker of The Planetarium, showing a prediscovery image of the nova. The Editor estimates the magnitude to be 6.9 on the exposure of Nov 13.78UT. This is the fourth prediscovery result following those by N.James and M.Mobberley and other photographers should check any wide angle photos of Comet 1987s which might have included the field. PROBABLE NOVAE IN M31 J.Bryan, Georgetown, TX, reports his discovery of two probable novae in M31, both at mpg 17.5 on Nov 21.20UT (Tri-X, 0.41-m reflector).The positions are: RA 00h39m26s DEC 40 54.4' (1950) RA 00 40 47 40 57.9 (1950) The Editor is currently carrying out an analysis of a photo by D.Buczynski of M31 taken on Nov 24 to see if images of these suspects have been recorded. If any other photos of M31 taken at prime focus are available from the last 3 months please e-mail the Editor. Guy M Hurst