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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1052      1996 Feb 25 11.23UT
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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AQ CMI
The Editor has reduced a magnitude for an image of this variable
secured by Nick James, Chelmsford using the 0.30-m reflector
and now equipped with a V filter. The 240sec exposure on
Feb 14.854UT gave a magnitude of 14.7V.
Martin Mobberley also imaged the variable on Feb 14.801UT and
reduced the magnitude as V=14.9.

J.Patterson, Department of Astronomy, Columbia University e-mails:
V-band photoelectric photometry by A. Shambrook with the CTIO
1 m telescope shows superhumps in the light curve of this
recently-erupted dwarf nova. Timings on February 12 and 13 indicate
a period of 95.9+-0.3 minutes.  The amplitude (0.17 mag peak-to-
trough) and waveform (fast rise, slow decline) are normal for
SU UMa stars in early decline from a superoutburst. On February 13
the star was at V=14.5.

Daisaku Nogami, Japan e-mails:
We observed AQ CMi for 6 hours at Ouda Staion on Feb. 12, using
0.6-m refl. + CCD + Johnson V filter.  Our observation
independently detected superhumps with an apmlitude of about 0.2
mag.  A preliminary period analysis gives 0.06625 d (= 95.4 min)
as the best estimated superhump period, which agrees with the one
given by Patterson et al.

        mid-UT     V-C   S.D.   N
------------------------------------
CMIAQ  960212.556  1.378 0.073  83 V

Comp. V=13.22 (VSNET chart)

The Editor has prepared a preliminary light curve which has
been submitted for possible inclusion on the TA World Wide Web
Pages.

TASV J2352+665
Further estimates of this variable discovered by Mike Collins
(cf E1032,1038):
1996 Jan 28.768UT, 14.0v(Gary Poyner, Birmingham, 0.40-m refl)
     Feb  8.772UT, 14.7v(Poyner)
          8.814UT, 14.9V(Martin Mobberley, 0.40-m refl+CCD+V)

COMET C/1996 B2 (HYAKUTAKE)
Recent estimates received suggest this comet is at least as
bright if not perhaps brighter than suggested in the ephemeris
on E1047:
1996 Feb 17.21UT, 7.3 (Jonathan Shanklin, Cambridge,  14x100B,
                       dia 6.7')
         18.13UT, 7.8 (Antonio Milani, Italy 20x80B, dia 6')
         19.14UT, 7.8 (Alexander Baransky, Volynska, Ukraine
                       0.11-m refl. dia 6.6')
         21.19UT, 7.3 (Shanklin, dia 5.4')
         22.76UT, 7.5 (Paul Camilleri, Australia, 0.20-m refl.
                       dia 5', DC7. Tail 10' in PA 280deg)

Guy M Hurst