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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 837 1994 May 08 09.15UT
Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise, Basingstoke,
Hants, RG22 4PP,England. Telephone/FAX(0256)471074 Int:+44256471074
INTERNET: GMH at AST.STAR.RL.AC.UK or GMH at GXVG.AST.CAM.AC.UK
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FAST-MOVING NEBULOUS OBJECT OF 1994 MAY 3 (=Q1994/039)
On May 3 reports were received from several European countries, via
the Central Bureau and direct, of a bright fast-moving nebulous
object, giving the appearance of a comet, passing through Perseus.
An initial alert was circulated May 4 05.12UT requesting further
details from observers.
In response Giovanni Sostero, Italy e-mailed that he had received
a message from Korado Korlevic at Visnjan Astronomical Observatory
that he had observed the object 19.40-20.30UT on May 3. Initially
a point source about 10 degrees above the northern horizon (lat.
44deg N, Croatia) and of magnitude -4, it became increasing fuzzy
and larger reaching almost one degree in diameter.
Herman Mikuz, Slovenia also relayed news that S.Maticic, Logatec,
Slovenia noticed a bright diffuse object in Perseus at 19.40UT and
estimated it at magnitude -2 to -3 with a diameter of 15 arc
minutes. In 10x50B there was a bright condensation and four
wing-like diffuse features. The motion was NW-N at a rate of about
two degrees per hour.
Mikuz also relayed that Robert Tercelj and Jurij Dolanec, Ljubljana
Slovenia also saw the object at 20.00UT and estimated it at mag
+2. It appeared to have a nucleus and a 'coma' diameter of about
one degree. It moved NW (Auriga) and rapidly faded becoming
invisible at 22hUT.
In response to these alerts, Herman Mikuz, accompanied by
B.Dintinjana started observing it at 20.45UT when it was clearly
visible to the naked eye as a diffuse cloud about two degrees in
diameter. In 7x50B and 15x80B the object looked like a 'bird with
wings spread' extending about 5 degrees.
Mauro Zanotta, Italy e-mails that Gianantonio Milani, Padova,
Italy also observed it as an object of about two degrees diameter.
Various astrometry has been received and a fuller report will
appear in the May issue of 'The Astronomer'.
It seems probable that this event was linked to the launch of a
satellite from Cape Canaveral on May 3 at about 16hUT.
PERIODIC COMET HARRINGTON (1994g)
This comet has been recovered by J. Scotti with the Spacewatch
telescope at Kitt Peak in strong moonlight, the comet images being
diffuse and showing a 10" coma:
1994 UT R.A. (2000) Decl. m1
May 1.45720 21 36 12.17 -12 57 49.5
1.47174 21 36 14.18 -12 57 43.5 18.5
2.45155 21 38 26.43 -12 50 21.0 18.6
2.46528 21 38 28.27 -12 50 13.7 IAUC 5982
SUPERNOVA 1994M IN NGC 4493
P. Wild, Astronomical Institute, University of Berne, reports his
discovery at Zimmerwald on Apr. 29.9 UT (confirmed on May 2.9)
of a supernova (V about 16) located at:
R.A. = 12h28m35s.1, Decl. = +0o52'54" (equinox 1950.0),
which is 3" east and 28" south of the nucleus of NGC 4493.
IAUC 5982
PERIODIC COMET MAURY (1994h)
This comet has been recovered by J. Scotti with the Spacewatch
telescope at Kitt Peak, the comet showing a 9" coma and a 0'.25
tail in p.a. 259o:
1994 UT R.A. (2000) Decl. m1
May 3.45755 22 42 42.23 - 0 54 19.6
3.46074 22 42 42.64 - 0 54 17.7 17.9
4.46252 22 44 37.28 - 0 44 29.1 17.7
4.46935 22 44 38.04 - 0 44 24.9 IAUC 5984
Guy M Hurst
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Date: Sun, 8 May 1994 11:13:54 +0100 (BST)