THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 193 1988 Aug 25 19.16UT. 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 ABSENCE From Friday Aug 25 7pm until Monday Aug 29 10am, the editor will be contactable on Mablethorpe (0521) 72483. This number is available on an all night basis for possible discoveries. Routine messages can be sent to this box which will be monitored by Steven Hurst. Alan Young will issue any urgent circulars. FLASHING OBJECTS Q 1988/41 Mark and Guy Hurst report observation of a flashing object in Cygnus on Aug 24 seen between 21.17-21.22UT. 5 flashes were recorded peaking at about mag -2 and the object gradually moved southwest by approximately 10 degrees during this interval. Q 1988/40 Philip Benson, Rayleigh, reports that various observers saw a flashing object, apparently with no movement, on Aug 20 at approximately 21.10UT. Peaks of about mag 1 were seen and the approximate position was RA 20h DEC +28deg. 5 flashes were seen separated by intervals of about 40 seconds. Can anyone offer an identification of either object? VARIABLE APPEAL Dr. Robert Smith, Sussex, e-mails via STARLINK that he urgently needs details of the recent activity of SS Cyg and RU Peg for an observing run planned at La Palma from Aug 29-Sept 1. Please e-mail any results for this month as soon as possible. SUPERNOVA 1988R IN MCG 9-23-9 M.Lovas, Konkoly Observatory, reports discovery of a supernova in MCG 9-23-9 located at: RA 13h 46.4m DEC +55 03'(1950). The plate of Aug 18.87UT shows the object at mpg 15.5, 7"E, 3"N of the galaxy's nucleus. IAUC 4646 3C 446 Brian Manning, Stakenbridge, reports confirmation of the outburst of this object suggested on E191. On Aug 21.966UT a photo with 0.26-m refl recorded the object at magnitude 15.8pv. Guy M Hurst