THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 598 1992 Jan 11 19.25UT 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------- FN ANDROMEDAE Hakon Dahle, Oslo, Norway reports that he has observed an outburst of the dwarf nova FN Andromedae as follows: 1992 Jan 9.731UT mv=13.6 (Celestron 8 x200). Ornulf Midtskogen, Tranby, Norway, who faxed the original report to us mentions he also saw a starlike object of approximately mag 14 in the correct position using his 0.30-m reflector. In response to our initial alert, confirmation was also obtained as follows: 1992 Jan 10.809UT, 14.1 (Roy Mitchell, Bridport, UK) 1992 Jan 10.823UT, 14.3 (Gary Poyner, Birmingham, UK) The previous reported outburst occurred in 1991 Sept (cf E559). TA SOFTWARE Version 2.11 of EPH.EXE is now available which permits the use of elements based on 2000 as well as those based on 1950. Ephemerides can also be produced from either for 1950 or 2000. It should be mentioned that the IAU have now formally adopted 2000 for all moving objects although 1950 will continue to be used for stationery objects such as variable stars, supernovae and novae. Version 2.11 costs #10.00 and also includes a data file 'COMETS.TXT' which contains elements for 103 comets. The price also includes 'ADD1950.EXE', a program which will convert your own data files containing elements for use in the new 2000 system. Upgrades from earlier versions cost #3.00.The new version of the program currently gives an accuracy of about 0.5 arc minutes, quite sufficient for visual observers. However it is intended to improve the accuracy to around 1-2" so that it can also be used to test residuals in astrometric work. Those ordering version 2.11 now can convert to the proposed 2.12 with increased accuracy without further charge by simply returning the disk when the announcement has been made. E-CIRCULARS- BACK ISSUES It is not possible to automatically resend e-circulars which have 'bounced back' from their intended destination. The group mailing system does not always clearly indicate which recipient failed to receive the message. However we can resend *on e-mail request* any circular provided it is within 10 numbers of the last one issued. Such requests must be made to the RLSAC address where the circulars are stored. We can also supply the following files of back issues: Ref Filename Bytes Period File Revision E01 E001-E050 67294 1987 Jan 24-1987 Aug 12 22-11-90 #2.50 E02 E051-E100 84919 1987 Aug 12-1987 Dec 15 22-11-90 #2.50 E03 E101-E150 81265 1987 Dec 22-1988 May 5 22-11-90 #2.50 E04 E151-E200 93071 1988 May 6-1988 Sep 17 22-11-90 #2.50 E05 E201-E250 92940 1988 Sep 20-1989 Jan 27 22-11-90 #2.50 E06 E251-E300 76889 1989 Jan 28-1989 May 14 22-11-90 #2.50 E07 E301-E350 85751 1989 May 17-1989 Oct 5 22-11-90 #2.50 E08 E351-E400 108624 1989 Oct 8-1990 Apr 6 25-11-90 #2.50 E09 E401-E450 129208 1990 Apr 12-1990 Oct 3 25-11-90 #2.50 E10 E451-E500 150586 1990 Oct 9-1991 Mar 26 9-1-92 #2.50 The whole series E001-E500 can be supplied at a special price of #22.00. All prices for software and files mentioned in this circular are on the basis that a formatted disk is sent to the editor with the appropriate payment. Guy M Hurst