------------------------------------------------------------------- THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1194 1997 May 11 08.04UT Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise, Basingstoke, Hants, RG22 4PP,England.Telephone/FAX(01256)471074Int:+441256471074 INTERNET: GUY@TAHQ.DEMON.CO.UK GMH at AST.STAR.RL.AC.UK WORLD WIDE WEB http://www.demon.co.uk/astronomer ------------------------------------------------------------------- COMET P/1997 H1 (McNAUGHT-HUGHES) J. V. Scotti, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory; and A. Nakamura, Kuma Kogen Astronomical Observatory, have independently recovered comet P/1991 S1 (= 1991y = 1991 IX) as shown below. The indicated correction to the prediction by the undersigned on MPC 25183 (ephemeris on MPC 27943) is Delta T = +0.02 day. 1997 UT R.A. (2000) Decl. m1 Observer Apr. 16.44773 15 22 59.38 -10 31 03.0 20.6 Scotti 16.47023 15 22 58.57 -10 31 00.0 20.6 " 16.48596 15 22 58.04 -10 30 58.0 20.1 " 29.65512 15 14 06.69 - 9 58 52.3 20.3 Nakamura 29.66510 15 14 06.18 - 9 58 50.8 " 29.67682 15 14 05.69 - 9 58 48.6 " J. V. Scotti and J. Larsen (Kitt Peak). 0.9-m Spacewatch telescope. A. Nakamura (Kuma Kogen). 0.60-m f/6.0 Ritchey-Chretien. Comet essentially stellar in appearance. Communicated by S. Nakano. Improved orbital elements from 33 observations 1991-1997: Epoch = 1998 Mar. 8.0 TT T = 1998 Feb. 23.7633 TT Peri. = 224.3657 e = 0.404125 Node = 89.9731 2000.0 q = 2.116237 AU Incl. = 7.3033 a = 3.551479 AU n = 0.1472619 P = 6.693 years IAUC 6640 SUPERNOVA 1997by IN ANONYMOUS GALAXY The Mount Stromlo Abell Cluster Supernova Search Team reports the discovery of an apparent supernova (mag V = 16.2) on V and R CCD images taken on Apr. 27 by S. Chan on the Mount Stromlo 1.27-m telescope (+ Macho Camera). SN 1997by is located near Abell 1736 at R.A. = 13h27m27s.54, Decl. = -27o19'21".7 (equinox 2000.0). A nearby star has position end figures 18s.62, 18'54".0. SN 1997by was not detected on frames taken on Apr. 4, but it is clearly visible on CCD images taken with the Mount Stromlo 0.76-m telescope on Apr. 28. IAUC 6639 (extract) SUPERNOVA 1997bz IN ANONYMOUS GALAXY The Mount Stromlo Abell Cluster Supernova Search Team also reports the discovery of an apparent supernova (V about 17.5) on V and R CCD images taken on Apr. 27 by S. Chan on the Mount Stromlo 1.27-m telescope (+ Macho Camera). SN 1997bz is located near Abell 1238 at R.A. = 11h22m25s.46, Decl. = +1 11'21".5 (2000). No star was detected at this position on frames taken on Apr. 11. SN 1997bz is also visible on CCD images taken with the Mount Stromlo 1.27-m telescope on Apr. 30. A nearby star has position end figures 22s.56, 13'24".8. IAUC 6641 (extract) COMET HALE-BOPP HANDBOOK IMAGES We are planning a handbook for this object and would be interested to learn of any images which are available for possible inclusion. However recently Nick James (Handbook Editor) and the main editor have been inundated with e-mailed images. Please send DETAILS ONLY and NOT the images themselves to Nick James who will then advise how to proceed. Guy M Hurst