THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 181 1988 July 19 18.54UT.
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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NOVA ANDROMEDAE 1988
R. A. Wade, Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, writes:
"Spectroscopic observatioservatory 2.3-m telescope. A medium-resolution
spectrogram covering 368-517 nm (obtained July 9.45) shows broad
absorption at H-beta (FWZI = 8000 km/s) upon which is superimposed
strong emission (equivalent width 2.5 +/- 0.3 nm, full width at
base = 3500 kms that is itself reversed at the peak (separation
between peaks = 1000 km/s).  Similar absorption and emission
structure is visible at H-gamma.  No CLEAR emission is seen at
500.7 nm, 468.6 nm, or 372.7 nm.
Low-dispersion spectrograms were obtained under adverse weather
conditions (clouds and lightning) on July 13.44 (covering
575-869nm) and July 13.46 (315-607 nm).  They show H-alpha emission
with equivalent width 10 +/- 1.5 nm, FWZI = 3000 km/s, emission
peak separation = 900 km/s; H-beta emission with equivalent width 4
+/- 1 nm, FWZI = 3500 km/s, peak splitting = 1400 km/s; and [O II]
372.7 nm emission  with equivalent width about 3 nm (probably not
doubled).  Again, no [O I 500.7 nm emission is apparent, nor is
O I 844.6 nm emission.
Further broad emission features may be present but require
additional analysis to be confirmed.  The spectra are reminiscent
of the recurrent nova WZ Sge at minimum light.  CCD photometry by
D. Hamilton with the 1m Kitt Peak reflector on July 9.5 gave B
about 18.8, Kron R about 18.3; no other object not on the Palomar
Sky Survey is visible, suggesting that Hurst's (IAUC 4620) object
is indeed the pre-nova."
                                                 IAUC 4629
Editor: There remains the problem of the astrometric results which
suggest my candidate was in a different position to the nova. Brian
Manning suggests that the astrometry could have given a misleading
result if either proper motion of the comparisons or candidate were
large. Also the measurement of the POSS image could have been
affected by the fact that it was located near the corner of a
plate and because measurement of prints or copies can introduce
distortion.
Assuming the proposal of a recurrent nova is correct, this field,
as with Dave Branchett's object in Scutum now needs permanent
nightly monitoring to check for further outbursts.

POSSIBLE VARIABLE IN AQUILA
Stefan Korth reports that he recorded an image of magnitude 12.1pv
on 1988 July 10.93UT in the field of V603 Aql with estimated
position:
RA 18h46m57s DEC +00 25.6'(1950)
The object, located slightly east of comparison 121 (AAVSO
d chart), is not on Atlas Stellarum. Korth subsequently observed it
visually on July 12.93UT at 13.3.
Hurst notes that there is a faint image, about mag 15 on the Lick
Atlas in this position. Further results would be welcomed.

Guy M Hurst