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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1292      1998 Apr 20 19.37UT
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
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SUPERNOVA 1998aq IN NGC 3982
The supernova found by Mark Armstrong (cf E1288) has now been
spectroscopically confirmed. Following an appeal by the editor to
Hitoshi Yamaoka for assistance they reported back:

Dr.Ayani, Bisei Astronomical Observatory and H. Yamaoka, Kyushu
University report:  "A spectrogram of SN 1998aq obtained with the
1.01-m telescope on Apr. 15.6 UT, shows a bluish continuum with
broad absorption lines at 612 (prominent; Si II), 575 (Si II),
542 (S II), 485 (Fe II), and 438 nm (Mg II); this indicates that
SN 1998aq is of type Ia, about 1 week before maximum.  The 575-nm
feature may imply that SN 1998aq is of subluminous class, but it
resembles that of the typical type-Ia SN 1994D.  The expansion
velocity derived from the shift of the absorption minimum is 11 000
km/s.  The absence of narrow Na D absorption suggests that the
interstellar reddening is small.  The distance of the host galaxy
is comparable to that of the Virgo cluster."

Hitoshi has subsequently kindly submitted a graph of the spectrum
for publication in TA which we hope to include in the May issue.
We are very grateful for their valuable assistance.

Recent estimates show the supernova has brightened considerably
and we strongly urge all observers to monitor and report estimates
as often as possible to the editor.

SUPERNOVA 1998an IN UGC 3683
The supernova discovered by Ron Arbour has also been confirmed
spectroscopically and a further report received from Hitoshi:

K. Ayani and H. Yamaoka also report that a spectrogram of SN 1998an
was obtained with the Bisei 1.01-m telescope on Apr.15.5 UT.  A
deep and broad Si II absorption at 613 nm (at the rest frame of
UGC 3683) and other features indicate that this is a type-Ia
supernova around maximum.  The expansion velocity derived from the
shift of Si II absorption minimum is about 10 000 km/s.

Both of the above reports have also appeared on IAUC 6878.

W COM
Gary Poyner, Birmingham, reports that his observations of W Com,
an object on the Recurrent Objects Programme of the UK Nova/
Supernova Patrol, indicate it is now at its brightest level since
1995 March 7 (13.6) and the second brightest since 1970.
Selected observations:
1998 Jan. 26.05UT, 14.5; Mar 10.03, 14.4; 19.96, 14.2; 30.96, 14.1;
Apr 11.94, 13.8.
Please monitor and report estimates weekly.

Guy M Hurst