THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 121 1988 Feb 08 21.35UT. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------- OUTBURST OF AX PERSEI Further to the report on E115 concerning unusual activity in this Z-And type variable, J.Isles, Limassol, Cyprus has reported a major outburst: Jan 22.81, 10.5 (Hurst); Feb 7.73, 9.9 (Isles); 8.29, 9.8 (Hurst). The last major outburst was in 1978 Jan when the star reached magnitude 9.2. A chart appeared in TA Vol 14 No 167. MINOR PLANET NAMES Despite some embarrassment, I am instructed to release details of recently named minor planets: (3696)Herald =1980 OF after David Herald. (3697)Guyhurst=1984 EV no comment. (3698)Manning =1984 UA2 after Brian Manning (3699)Milbourn=1984 UC2 after Stan W Milbourn MPC 12 809 POSSIBLE SN UGC 3933 C.Pollas, CERGA Observatory, reported a possible SN in UGC 3933 RA 7h34m10s DEC +42 04'(1950). The object is located 21"east and 10" north of the nucleus with mv= 17. IAUC 4534 Further reports are at conflict but deep photo at prime focus are urgently required to establish the nature of this object. POSSIBLE SN IN NGC 4772 H.Kosai, Toyko Astronomical Observatory, reports discovery by Y.Taniguchi of a possible SN in NGC 4772 RA 12h 51m.0 DEC +02 27'(1950) on a Kiso plate of Jan 20.844UT. The object was mpg 17 and 20" north of the nucleus. IAUC 4543 Guy M Hurst