THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 276 1989 Mar 12 19.50UT. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Q1989/17 Mike Collins (MAG36908) reports his discovery of an uncatalogued variable in Cas at: RA 01h57.9m DEC +58 04 (1950) on 1989 Mar 11.9 at mpv approx 10.1. (135mmFL f2.8 K2415) He has subsequently identified it on earlier exposures for the UK Nova/Supernova Patrol: 1988 Nov 3.9UT, 11.8; 13.9, 12.0; 18.9, 11.8; Dec 5.0, 11.4; 19.9, 11.0; 28.9, 10.9; 1989 Jan 10.9, 10.2; 26.9, 10.2:; Feb 3.8, 10.3; 13.8, 10.2; 27.9, 10.2 He notes that there is an image on Papadopoulos of 1976 Aug 30.3 at mpv 10.2. The Editor confirms Mike Collins' findings that the star is not listed in GCVS, NSV or Name Lists 67 and 68. He further notes that there is not an image on Atlas Stellarum (1969 Aug 9) corresponding to that on Papadopoulos and therefore B is fainter than [14.1. There is a possible very weak image on Lick near B=15.(1954 Sept 23. Could patrollers please check earlier films for further images. SUNSPOT GROUP Jost Jahn (MAG40869) reports observation on Mar 11 of a large sunspot group covering 0.2 percent of the visible hemispshere. Does anyone else have results? Z CAM Patrick Schmeer (MAG70250) reports that Z Cam has entered a standstill, the first since 1988 Sept. On 1989 Mar 11.826UT he estimated it at magnitude 11.8v. U GEM Various observers have reported that this star is currently in outburst. E275 This circular was dated Mar 17 in error and should be amended to Mar 11. Guy M Hurst