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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 989       1995 Aug 22 17.32UT
Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise,  Basingstoke,
Hants, RG22 4PP,England. Telephone/FAX(0256)471074 Int:+44256471074
INTERNET: GUY@TAHQ.DEMON.CO.UK             GMH at AST.STAR.RL.AC.UK
WORLD WIDE WEB                    http://www.demon.co.uk/astronomer
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COMET 1995 O1 (HALE-BOPP)
John Bortle, Stormville, USA informs us of a major photometric
outburst in progress of Comet Hale-Bopp.
Observations over the past several nights indicate the sudden
appearance of a strong star-like nucleus in the heart of the coma's
inner condensation. This feature has grown substantially in
brightness during the past 72 hours as indicated by the following
observations:

Aug. 18.24UT C.S.Morris reports that no nucleus or condensation
present within the coma, DC 2.5 .

Aug. 19.23UT C.S.Morris reports a small condensation present within
the coma, DC 5.

Aug. 20.07UT John Bortle notes a perfectly stellar nucleus of
magnitude 12.2 using a 40-cmL at 90x - coma's DC 6-7. Small but
fairly strong condensation of about 0.5' surrounds nucleus.
Remainder of 2.5' coma rather faint and uncondensed.

Aug. 21.08UT Bortle notes that the nucleus, still essentially
stellar in appearance, has brightened to magnitude 11.5 employing
the same instrument. DC of coma now rated at 8. Nucleus surrounded
by a tiny condensation not more than 0.3' in diameter. Remainder of
2.3' coma totally diffuse and quite weak.

Guy M Hurst