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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1629      2001 May 06 06.25UT
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 2001bf IN MCG +04-42-22 (Q2001/215)
On 2001 May 4, the editor received an e-mail message from Mark
Armstrong indicating that he had recorded a possible supernova
in MCG +04-42-22 on May 3.020UT. As this was on a single frame
only and obtained in poor conditions and moonlight, an appeal
was issued on the evening of May 4 to the TA Checking Group
(Q2001/215). Tom Boles responded with a high quality image
obtained on May 5.001UT which clearly confirmed the suspect and
indicated it may have brightened. Mark also obtained further
images and the following IAUC announcement has now been released:

Guy M Hurst, Basingstoke, England, reports the discovery of an
apparent supernova (mag 16.5) by Mark Armstrong, Rolvenden, on an
unfiltered CCD frame (limiting mag 18) taken on May 3.020 UT with a
0.30-m Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector in the course of the U.K.
Nova/Supernova Patrol.  Armstrong measured the new object's
position to be R.A. = 18h01m33s.99, Decl. = +26o15'02".3 (equinox
2000.0), which is 5" east and 8" south of the center of MCG
+04-42-22.  An image taken by Armstrong on May 4.965 shows that SN
2001bf had brightened to mag 15.9.  An image taken on May 5.001 by
T. Boles, Coddenham, also confirms the presence of the new object.
A master patrol image taken by Armstrong on 2000 June 8 showed
nothing at this position (limiting mag 18.5), and nothing appears
on Palomar Sky Survey images from 1991 May 14 (limiting red mag
20.8) and 1991 July 12 (limiting blue mag 22.5).
IAUC 7620

Our congratulations to Mark on this further success, especially
as it was made in less than favourable conditions.

Guy M Hurst