THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 586       1991 Dec 15 12.45UT
Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise,  Basingstoke,
Hants, RG22 4PP,England. Telephone/FAX(0256)471074 Int:+44256471074
Telex: 9312111261 Answerback: TA G                     JANET BOXES:
GMH at UK.AC.CAM.ASTRONOMY.STARLINK or GUYH at UK.AC.SUSSEX.CLUSTER
TELECOM GOLD: 10074:MIK2885                       PRESTEL 256471074
-------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPERNOVA 1991bg IN NGC 4374 (M84)
H. Kosai, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, communicates
the visual discovery by Reiki Kushida (Yatsugatake South Base
Observatory), using a 0.40-m f/5 reflector, of a supernova in NGC
4374 (M84); on Dec. 9.844 UT, she estimated that the object is
about 80" from the galaxy's centre, in p.a. 165 deg, with mv = 14.
Y.Kushida provides the following accurate position for the SN
from photographs exposed Dec. 9.86 at the same site:
RA = 12h22m31s.54, Decl. = +13 08'52".4 (1950).
Approximate photovisual magnitudes from Y. Kushida:  Nov. 17.802,
[15.1; Dec. 3.777, 14.9; 9.860, 14.5; 10.804, 14.4.  On Dec. 10.8,
using the 0.91-m reflector (+ multichannel photometer) at the
Dodaira Station of National Astronomical Observatory, T. Kato found
that the supernova was at V about 14.3.  There is a foreground star
of mag V = 14.7 some 80" from the galaxy's centre toward the SW.
At the request of A. Filippenko (University of California at
Berkeley), following his discussions with the Central Bureau, the
Berkeley Automated Supernova Search Team obtained a CCD image of
M84 on Dec. 12 UT; examination of the image by H. Newberg shows a
stellar object, located 57" south and < 2" east of the galaxy's
centre, that was not present in earlier images of the galaxy.
IAUC 5400

DY PERSEI
A. Alksnis, Radioastrophysical Observatory, Latvian Academy of
Sciences, reports: "This carbon star, suspected to be an R CrB-type
variable, was observed with the Baldone Schmidt telescope and found
to be in a deep minimum: Dec. 2.74 UT, V = 15.7; 5.54, V = 15.7;
5.55, B = 17.0.  For a finding chart and information on previous
photometric behavior, see Investig. Sun and Red Stars 33, 83 (1990,
Riga)."
IAUC 5400
Editor:The star is located at:
RA 02h31m42s DEC +55 55.6'(1950).
GCVS has the type as SRB, amplitude of 10.6-13.2V and  with
approximate period of 900 days.
The variable is in the region of the galactic cluster Trumpler 2.

E-INDEX
Salford Astronomical Society now inform us (cf E585) that they have
authorisation to send messages and can therefore reply to e-mail.

PERIODIC COMET SCHWASSMANN-WACHMANN 1
Herman Mikuz, Yugoslavia, e-mails that he observed this comet
(cfE584) on Dec 11.87UT and estimated the total magnitude as 13.2,
coma diameter 1', DC3.
A one-minute exposure with 574x384 Wright CCD and 0.19-m Flat field
camera taken on Dec 11.853UT showed a stellar-like 40" diameter
central condensation and a 6' diameter round delicate coma.

Guy M Hurst