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
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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