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.
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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