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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1588      2000 Dec 14 20.11UT
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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R CRB (Q2000/292)
During recent months we have received a number of reports of a
possible fade of R CrB, the first (Q2000/292) by Jonathan Shanklin
of Cambridge as long ago as 2000 Oct 22 when he estimated the
star at magnitude 7.0. This and subsequent alerts seem to refer
to dips rather than a full fade. An early announcement was withheld
to avoid bias as was discussed in the recent BAAVSS meeting at
Northampton.

On 2000 Dec 8.11UT, Bjorn Granslo in Norway reported the star as
faint as 7.7v with 0.07-m OG x24. A further estimate by Granslo
on Dec 12.13UT indicated the star had faded to 9.0.

The editor confirmed what now appears to be a full fade on
2000 Dec 13.26UT at 9.1v (15x80B, stormy conditions and almost full
moon!).

Guy M Hurst