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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1843      2003 Jan 16 15.30UT
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
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RHO CASSIOPEIAE
We have received a number of reports of unusual activity in the
variable star rho Cassiopeiae in recent weeks.

The January issue of 'The Astronomer' (in press) contains the
following note in the variable star column by Gary Poyner:
Range 4.0-5.2 (!) (5) MKT, QM (2002 December observations).

At a recent meeting of the American Astronomical Society, Alex
Lobel and Andrea Dupree reported recent observations. They
commented that this star faded to magnitude 6 in 1946, changing its
spectral class from F to M. In 2000 a small brightening was
followed by a two magnitude fade. Recent spectral studies suggest
unusual activity may take place in the coming months. Please report
your observations to Gary Poyner but if any dramatic change is
noted send an additional report to the editor.

SUPERNOVA 2003A IN UGC 5904
Michael Schwartz has reported on IAUC 8041 that the LOTOSS team
have found a possible supernova of magnitude 17.4 on an image of
2003 Jan 4.5UT obtained with the 0.8-m Tenagra II telescope. The
position is: RA 10h 48m 33.86s DEC +66 22' 29.4" (2000) which is
0.3"E and 6.1"N of the northern component of UGC 5904.

SUPERNOVA 2003B NEAR NGC 1097
Bob Evans, Australia, advises that he has made a visual discovery
of a possible supernova of about mag 15 on 2003 Jan 5.5UT using a
0.41-m reflector. The object was estimated to be approximately 90"W
and 175"N of the centre of NGC 1097 (RA 02H 46.3M Dec -30 17'
[2000]).

Subsequent spectral reports on IAUC 8042 by R. Kirshner (Las
Campanas, 6.5-m Clay) and Filippenko (Keck I 10-m) indicates this a
type-II supernova several weeks past maximum.

Our congratulations to Bob on this further success with his visual
search programme.

SUPERNOVA 2003C IN UGC 439
Tim Puckett and L. Cox of USA have reported their detection of a
magnitude 17.0 apparent supernova on an image of 2003 Jan 6.02UT
using a 0.60-m automated telescope.

The position is: RA 00h 41m 20.91s DEC -01 42' 54.1" (2000). The
offsets are: 8.8"W and 2.8"N of the galaxy, UGC 439. Filippenko
adds that a spectrum with the Keck I 10-m indicates it is of type-
II. Further details have appeared on IAUC 8043.

SUPERNOVA 2003D IN MCG -01-25-9
Puckett has also reported on IAUC 8043 the discovery of a magnitude
17.5 possible supernova on an image of 2003 Jan 6.29UT at:
RA 09h 38m 53.52s DEC -04 51' 05.1" (2000), 1.6"E and 10.2"S of the
galaxy, MCG -01-25-9. Filippenko reports that a Keck spectra shows
it to be a peculiar type-Ia.

Guy M Hurst