------------------------------------------------------------------- THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1593 2000 Dec 24 16.32UT 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------- SUPERNOVA 2000fn IN NGC 2526 T. Puckett, Mountain Town, GA, provides his astrometry and photometry of an apparent supernova (mag about 18.8) discovered by B. Holmes, Charleston, IL, on an unfiltered CCD frame taken with a 0.40-m reflector on Dec. 17.20 UT: R.A. = 8h06m57s.79, Decl. = +8 00'19".3 (2000), which is 12".7 west and 4".9 north of the centre of NGC 2526. The new object was also present (mag 18.0) on an unfiltered CCD frame (limiting mag 19.0) taken by Holmes on Nov. 27.20, and (via W. Li, University of California) on images taken with the Katzman Automatic Imaging Telescope on Nov. 19 and Dec. 3. SN 2000fn does not appear on Palomar Sky Survey images (limiting mag about 21.0) taken on 1997 Nov. 7 and 1988 Dec. 11. IAUC 7546 SUPERNOVA 2000fo IN PGC 70148 Michael Schwartz, Cottage Grove, OR, reports the discovery by LOTOSS of an apparent supernova (mag about 16.5) on unfiltered images taken with the 0.5-m Tenagra III automatic telescope on Dec. 21.1 and 22.0 UT. The new object is located at R.A. = 22h58m25s.34, Decl. = +26o38'26".6 (2000), which is 5".5 west and 5".8 north of the nucleus of PGC 70148. An image of the same field taken with the Katzman Automatic Imaging Telescope under poor conditions on Dec. 13.1 already showed a hint of SN 2000fo, while an image of the field taken with the 0.5-m Tenagra III automatic telescope on Dec. 6.1 showed nothing at this position (limiting mag about 19.0). IAUC 7547 URSID METEORS 2000 P. Jenniskens, Ames Research Center, reports that preliminary results show that there was an enhancement of Ursid meteors visible between Dec. 22.2 and 22.4 UT, including several brighter than mag 1, with a peak (ZHR > 50) near the predicted time of Dec. 22.31. IAUC 7547 BOOK REVIEW APPEAL: EINSTEIN'S UNFINISHED SYMPHONY We have received a review copy of a new book entitled 'Einstein's Unfinished Symphony' (Listening to the Sounds of Space-Time) by Marcia Bartusiak published by National Academy Press of Oxford. The book is an introduction to gravity waves and how the latest observatories and instruments to be built will allow scientists to place their hands on the fabric of space-time. (249 pages) We would appreciate a volunteer to write a review and, in return, the book can be retained. CHRISTMAS QUIZ A reminder to all subscribers that the traditional Christmas Quiz will, all being well, be sent out on Boxing Day. As there is often a race to e-mail back the first all-correct answer, we recommend you log in regularly for receipt of the questions! I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and successful 2001! Guy M Hurst