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. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 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