THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 609 1992 Feb 16 13.33UT 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------- NOVA SAGITTARII 1992 William Liller, Vina del Mar, Chile, and Paul Camilleri, Cobram, Victoria, report their independent discoveries of an apparent nova on photographs taken on Tech Pan film (+ orange filter, with Problicom) and on T-Max 400 film, respectively. The position (equinox 1950.0) is given by Liller as R.A. = 18h06m.8, Decl. = -25 51' and by Camilleri as R.A. = 18h06m.5, Decl. = -25 52'. Available magnitude estimates: Feb. 6.739 UT, [10 (Camilleri); 7.35, [10 (Liller); 13.35, 7.0 (Liller; 2 photos); 13.743, 7.5 (Camilleri). IAUC 5451 R. H. McNaught, Anglo-Australian Observatory, reports the following precise position measured from an Uppsala Southern Schmidt telescope film: R.A. = 18h06m28s.84, Decl. = -25 52'33".3 (equinox 1950.0). IAUC 5452 SUPERNOVA 1992G IN NGC 3294 H. Kosai, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, reports the discovery by Shunji Sasaki, Hasaki-machi, Ibaraki, of an apparent supernova (mpv about 14) in NGC 3294, found on T-Max 400 film exposed Feb. 9.60 UT. Y. and R. Kushida, Yatsugatake South Base Observatory, provide the following precise position for SN 1992G from a photograph taken Feb. 14.54: R.A. = 10h33m26s.19, Decl. = +37 34'47".4 (equinox 1950.0); the offsets from the galaxy's nucleus are 27" east and 10".5 south. A measurement of S. Sasaki's discovery film by G. Sasaki, National Astronomical Observatory, yields end figures 26s.49, 51".6. No stellar image appears at this location on the Palomar Sky Survey or on the Lick Photographic Atlas. Further magnitude estimates: Feb. 7, [13-13.5 (R. Kushida, visual); 13.75, about 14 (S. Sasaki, T-Max 400 film); 14.54, about 13.5 (Y. and R.Kushida). IAUC 5452 ALAN YOUNG TELESCOPE We understand that the person who purchased the house including observatory of the late Alan Young is now willing to sell the astronomical equipment and observatory building (located in BURWASH, Sussex). If anyone is interested please contact the editor. TAV 0033+59 Professional Astronomers advise us that a spectrum has now been obtained indicating that this object is a Be star which recently went through a shell episode. They have asked for all observations made since discovery. If any have not been reported to us please e-mail details as soon as possible, Guy M Hurst