------------------------------------------------------------------- THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1762 2002 Apr 8 18.49UT 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.theastronomer.org ------------------------------------------------------------------- SUPERNOVA 2002cb IN MCG +8-24-34 Tom Boles, Coddenham, Suffolk, reports his discovery of a supernova on a 30 second unfiltered CCD image taken on Apr. 7.145 UT with the 0.35-m SCT in the course of the U.K. Nova/Supernova patrol. The discovery magnitude is around 17.0. The new object was confirmed at a similar magnitude in a subsequent image taken by Ron Arbour, South Wonston, on Apr. 7.851 with a 45 second CCD image using a 0.30-m f/6.3 SCT. It was also confirmed by Mark Armstrong, Rolvenden, on Apr. 7.862 using a 0.35-m SCT. R. Chornock, W. D. Li and A. V. Filippenko, University of California, Berkeley, report that inspection of CCD spectra obtained on Apr. 8 with the Shane 3-m reflector at Lick Observatory show that the supernova is of type IIn. The supernova is located at RA = 13h04m23s.97, Dec = +47d35'53".2, which is 9".5 east and 6".4 north of MCG +8-24-34. Armstrong reports end figures 23s.92, 53".1. This galaxy is in Canes Venatici and it is well placed all night for UK observers. POSSIBLE SPACE SHUTTLE VIEWING OPPORTUNITY If the space shuttle launches today (April 8) as planned at 1639EDT (2139BST) observers in the UK may get a rare view of it on its first orbit. The shuttle is heading for the International Space Station (ISS). According to Heavens Above (http://www.heavens-above.com) from the SE of England the ISS becomes visible at around 2149BST in the west and it reaches an altitude of 66 degrees at 2152BST where it enters the Earth's shadow. The view is better further west and from Bristol the ISS passes almost overhead before entering shadow. The ISS is very bright and should be easy to spot. Assuming the launch happens on schedule the shuttle should follow nearly the same path shortly afterwards. Nick James.