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