THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 272 1989 Mar 07 21.05UT. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------- P/COMET PARKER-HARTLEY (1989i=1987 XXXVI)=1986TF S.Nakano has identified this comet with 1986TF, an object reported as a minor planet by both A.Mrkos and P.Jensen and for which a Hilda-type orbit had been computed (MPC 11417). Before the close approach to Jupiter (0.17AU in 1984 May) the comet had q=4.4AU and e=0.1. Elements by Nakano: T=1987 Aug 15.5682 ET Peri=181.2923) e=0.294793 Node=243.4052) 1950 q=3.025312 AU Incl= 5.2000) a=4.289960 AU n=0.1109237 P= 8.885 years IAUC 4752 METEORS FROM 1989DA Rob McNaught e-mails that the minimum distance of 0.04AU between the orbits of the Earth and 1989 DA occurred on 1989 Feb 23 with 1989 DA within 2 days of this minimum position. Meteor activity is possible throughout Feb and early Mar from a radiant: (1950) RA 5 deg DEC +30 deg Meteors would be very slow, V=15 km/sec. Any activity would only be visible in the evenings from mid to high northern latitudes. BULLETIN BOARD NEWS Further to the note on E269, Jost Jahn advises that the SYSOP has decided to open a special user-ID for all TA MICROLINK users. The user name is 'AMD' and the password 'INTER'. This should shorten welcoming messages and reduce costs. If any UK observer has success please send an e-mail note to the Editor. AURORAL DISPLAY Don Miles reports that the MET office issued a prediction of a strong auroral display for tonight. Does anyone have positive reports? It is suggested that monitoring for aurorae continues during the next few nights. Guy M Hurst