THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 452 1990 Oct 16 18.31UT Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise, Basingstoke, Hants, RG22 4PP, England. Telephone: (0256)471074 Int:+44256471074 Telex: 94082518 Answerback: TAGUY Microlink: MAG60138 JANET:GMH @ UK.AC.CAM.ASTRONOMY.STARLINK GUYH@UK.AC.SUSSEX.CLUSTER TELECOM GOLD: 10074:MIK2885 PRESTEL 256471074 -------------------------------------------------------------------- NSV 11453 Mike Collins, Sandy, reports that this object was recorded at magnitude 11.8 on UK Nova Patrol Photos of 1990 Sept 28.9UT using Kodak 2415 film. The initial 'recovery' (Q1989/91) was announced on E369. The last recorded image was mag 12.2 on 1989 Dec 22.8UT. As the variable is usually below the patrol film limit, we urge observers with larger instruments to follow the star in an effort to define the type. 1990 SQ This fast-moving asteroid was initially found by B.Roman on photos of 1990 Sept 23 at mag 14.0. (IAUC 5103). Improved elements yield a very favourable path in the coming months and it is suggested that prime focus photographs are obtained for astrometry. T = 1990 Nov. 28.103 ET Peri. = 51.985 e = 0.44686 Node = 358.205 1950.0 q = 1.10367 AU Incl. = 17.440 a = 1.99528 AU n = 0.349703 P = 2.82 years 1990 ET R.A. (1950) Decl. Delta r V Oct 16 21 22.47 - 3 45.9 0.335 1.197 13.6 21 21 19.51 + 0 32.1 26 21 18.41 + 4 48.5 0.344 1.161 13.8 31 21 19.03 + 9 01.1 Nov. 5 21 21.23 +13 08.7 0.358 1.132 13.9 10 21 24.92 +17 10.3 15 21 30.06 +21 05.8 0.375 1.113 14.1 20 21 36.64 +24 55.2 25 21 44.72 +28 38.9 0.393 1.104 14.2 IAUC 5113 VW HYDRI T. E. Harrison, Mount Stromlo Observatory, reports that the SU UMa-type dwarf nova VW Hyi is near maximum light, as indicated by the following approximate V magnitudes from the 1.02-m telescope (+ red CCD) at Siding Spring: Oct. 2.9 UT, 10.6; 3.8, 10.6; 4.7, 10.2. IAUC 5114 The star is located at: RA 04h09m30s DEC -71 25.4'(1950). MARS D. Parker, Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, reports the appearance of a new dust cloud on Mars that expanded from a central location of 30 deg west longitude, 0 deg latitude on Oct.4.08 UT to 42 deg west, -12 deg on Oct. 5.08, surrounding Aurorae Sinus. IAUC 5116 Guy M Hurst