THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 17 1987 Apr 21  20.41UT.

TAV 0723-03
G.Hurst reports that he has detected pre-discovery images of this
object on films of the UK patrol for 1982. Checks of 1977-1981
for 11 dates showed no star to magnitude 10.0 but the following
positive estimates were obtained: (Tri-X 135mmFL  shots):
1982 Jan 20, 10.0 (Poole,weak image).
         27,  9.8 (Poole)
         27,  9.8 (Grills)
     Mar 17, 10.0 (Poole)
         23, 10.2 (Grills)
         26, 10.2 (Grills)
B.Manning reports the following precise position:
     RA 7h23m12s.25 DEC -3 00'22".0 (1950).
R.McNaught relays preliminary photometry:
Apr 8,V=9.45; 9, 9.48; 11. 9.54; 19, 9.54
S.Lubbock, Bridgend has telephoned to say that on Apr 20 at 21.00UT
the star had faded to 9.8 (0.44-m reflector).
Further nightly estimates are needed.
Supernova 1987A
Recent estimates: Apr 11.40, 3.4 (Seargent, NSW); 12.38, 3.5
(McNaught, Siding Spring); 15.45, 3.4(Beresford, Adelaide).
Since these results, McNaught mentions the star has brightened to
3.2 by Apr 20 but no further details are available yet.
orts that he has detected pre-discov