THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 697 1992 Dec 31 20.03UT 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 TELECOM GOLD: 10074:MIK2885 GMH at UK.AC.RUTHERFORD.STARLINK.ASTROPHYSICS STARLINK: RLSAC::GMH GMH at UK.AC.CAM.ASTRONOMY.STARLINK STARLINK: CAVAD::GMH ------------------------------------------------------------------- SUPERNOVAE 1992bo AND 1992bp J. Maza, University of Chile (UC); and M. Hamuy, Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory, report the discovery of two apparent supernovae found on 20-min unfiltered IIa-O plates taken by G. Valladares with the CTIO Curtis Schmidt telescope. SN 1992bo was discovered by R. Antezana (UC), was at mpg about 17 on Dec. 20.06 UT, and is located 48" west and 55" south of the nucleus of the spiral galaxy ESO 352-G57 (R.A. = 1h19m44s.1, Decl. = -34 27'29", equinox 1950.0). SN 1992bo was not visible (mpg > 19.5) on a IIa-O plate taken on Nov. 30.1. SN 1992bp was discovered by M. Wischnjewsky (UC), was at mpg about 18 on Dec. 20.16, and is located about 6" west and 1".5 south of the nucleus of a spiral galaxy at R.A. = 3h34m22s.3, Decl. = -18 31'04". Confirmation of both supernovae was made by R. Aviles on CCD B, V, R, and I images obtained on Dec. 22.11 and 22.19 with the CTIO 0.9-m telescope. IAUC 5682 SUPERNOVA 1992bq IN ANONYMOUS GALAXY M. Hamuy, Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory; and J. Maza, University of Chile, report the discovery of an apparent supernova (mpg about 17) by R. Antezana (University of Chile) on a 20-min unfiltered IIa-O plate taken by G. Valladares with the CTIO Curtis Schmidt telescope on Dec. 20.32 UT. SN 1992bq is located 15" east and 1" south of the nucleus of a spiral galaxy at R.A. = 10h14m43s.6, Decl. = -34 30'08" (equinox 1950.0). Confirming observations were made by R. Aviles from CCD B, V, R, and I images obtained on Dec. 23.31 with the CTIO 0.9-m telescope. IAUC 5683 PERIODIC COMET SCHAUMASSE (1992x) Further to the note on E695, Brian Manning, Stakenbridge e-mails a report: "I attempted to observe comet Schaumasse visually on Dec 20 with the 0.26-m refl. but although I had the field correctly centred I could not detect any comet like object. I then made an exposure of 20 minutes which shows it nicely. It is little wonder that I could not see it though. There is an almost starlike 9 arc second diameter condensation of mag 14.5-15 with just the faintest trace of coma around it. It was touching a faint star trail at approx 22-15 UT. I am interested in Schaumasse at this apparition because it was the first comet I photographed and it was almost exactly 40 years ago. 18th January 1952. The lens was an 8 inch focus ex-gov Pentac and the exposure 25 minutes at f/4. Skies were dark then." Editor: Brian has subsequently confirmed the time for the latest exposure as Dec 20.88008UT. VARIABLE STAR REPORTS We are delighted to welcome Gary Poyner, Assistant Nova/Supernova Patrol Coordinator to our e-group. His address is: GP at UK.AC.BHAM.SR.STAR I shall be grateful if all contributors of reports on variable stars, novae or supernovae could send on each occasion a copy of the message to Gary's box in addition to the main copy to myself Guy M Hurst