THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 347 1989 Sep 26 19.33UT. Telecom Gold 72:MAG60138 JANET:GMH at UK.AC.RO-GREENWICH.STARLINK 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------- NOVA SCUTI 1989 H.W.Duerbeck and C.Gouiffes, ESO, report:"Spectra taken Sept 25.0 UT with the 1.52-m telescope show a well-developed principal spectrum of a moderately fast nova, 1-2 weeks after outburst and about 1 mag below maximum. IAUC 4865 P.Schmeer (MAG70250) reports the following visual estimates: Sept 24.86UT, 10.5; 25.77, 10.5; 25.83, 10.4 (0.203-m SCT, AAVSO sequence for V603 Aql). R.H.McNaught (07:GED001) reports the following precise position: RA 18h46m58s DEC -06 14'45.6"(1950) Also the following estimates: Sept 5.59UT, [12.0; 7.62, [8.5; 8.64, 9.5; 17.41, 8.5; 18.49, 9.0; 20.44, 10.3; 21.58, 10.9; 23.46, 11.0; 24.39, 11.2; 24.61, 11.2 The last two are visual, the remainder from T-Max 400 film. In a later message he revises the last 2 estimates to 10.6. He comments that no star appears on Palomar Sky Survey, ESO B fields, UK Schmidt J,R and I plates, thus an outburst range of at least 13 magnitudes is indicated. R.Bouma, Netherlands, reports that a photo taken Sept 4.89UT from Southern France shows nothing new to a limit of mag 13 (15mins, 135mmFL, Kodak 2415 hypered). M.Mobberley photographed the nova on Sept 24 at 19.45UT near mag 10 and we hope to produce a chart shortly. MICROLINK As those on System 72 will know we face a major change on Sept 30/ October 1 with a steep learning curve judging from the latest Quick Guide. We shall do our best to ensure the circulars service is not interrupted but many of the advanced commmands at present used are not explained in the new book and a detailed reference manual is being ordered. Please bear with us. In the meantime, could each subscriber e-mail their telephone number for emergency use and confirm whether they are staying on MICROLINK (with unchanged mailbox number) or switching to Telecom Gold (in which case please advise revised mailbox number). Guy M Hurst