THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 226 1988 Dec 14 19.13UT. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------- BZ UMA S.Lubbock (MAG60257) reports that he observed BZ UMa above minmum on Dec 12.98UT when he estimated the star at magnitude 14.8. As reported on E212, John Isles also observed the star on Oct 22 at 12.0 and this was later confirmed by AAVSO members (E219). In between these two outbursts the star was noted as slightly fainter than on Palomar Sky Survey when Derek Jones at La Palma observed it on Oct 26. Details of previous published outbursts, which were thought to be rare, appeared on E213 and were taken from IBVS 2256. Clearly this star is in need of regular monitoring and is one of the stars on the UK Nova/Supernova Patrol's recurrent objects programme. LA PALMA PROJECT Anders Linquist (MAG90959) e-mails that K.G.Andersson has queried the presence of a magnitude 14 star near one of the programme stars RX And. H.Feijth, Netherlands also reports via Theo Jurriens and STARLINK that a magnitude 14.1 companion to RX And is omitted from AAVSO (c) and (d) charts. The Editor notes that a faint companion is shown on the BAA Chart (Ref 001.02) NW of the variable and separated by 0.5' or less. Could observers please re-check their estimates of the variable when faint and advise whether misidentification has occurred. Q1988/48 N.James (MAG90713) reports that Mizon's stars A and B are shown correctly on Uranometria chart 94 but on chart 63, A is shown as magnitude 7 rather than 8. FIREBALL Don Miles (MAG11971) e-mails that Martin Horton observed a fireball on 1988 Dec 11 at 20h14m from Canvey Island which was about 1.5 brighter than Venus and travelling in a westerly direction. Are there any other reports? Guy M Hurst