THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 200 1988 Sep 17 13.10UT. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 200TH CIRCULAR This issue is the 200th in a series which began on 1987 January 24 when at 15.47UT the first e-circular was transmitted giving discovery details of Comet Nishikawa-Takamizawa-Tago (1987c). Z CAM S.Lubbock,(MAG60257), reports that the standstill of Z Cam appears to have ended. On 1988 Sept 15 at 21.03UT he estimated the star at magnitude 13.1v. TA records suggest the last active period was in 1987 May (range 10.8-13.1) but that since that time it has been at standstill near mag 11.7. Confirmation of this resumed activity is urgently required. POSTAL STRIKE For the benefit of those overseas it now appears that things are gradually returning to normal and that mail can now be sent. Those who have sent anything to MICROLINK but received no reply can send a faxed duplicate of letters or forms by using (0625) 879966. (2060) CHIRON D.P.Cruikshank and W.K.Hartmann, observing with the NASA infrared Telescope Facility, and D.J.Tholen with the University of Hawaii 2.24-m reflector, report that the anomalous brightening of Chiron, first reported on IAUC 4554, has not only continued, but has intensified. The VJHK absolute magnitudes on Sept. 5.6UT were about 1.05 mag brighter than the absolute magnitudes determined from observations between 1981 and 1983. V is now 16.85. There has been no obvious change in the colours, which remain neutral. IAUC 4653 TA INDEX We are delighted to welcome Jost Jahn of Germany to our user group. He can be contacted on 72:MAG40869. This brings the number receiving these circulars to 26. Guy M Hurst