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.
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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