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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1857      2003 Feb 23 13.41UT
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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SUPERNOVA 2003at IN MCG +11-20-23
On February 15, Mark Armstrong e-mailed the Central Bureau with
news of a suspected supernova, recorded on a single night, (Feb
15.15027UT) at magnitude 17.2 and located in MCG+11-20-23. The
unfiltered CCD image was secured with a 0.35-m Schmidt-Cassegrain
telescope during the course of the UK Nova/Supernova Patrol.
Astrometry showed the object at:
RA 16h 38m 47.81s DEC +66 01' 23.7" (2000) and the offsets 13"N and
3"E of the galaxy's nucleus.

Mark noted his images of 2002 Apr. 23 and May 18 did not show the
object and it was also not present on Palomar Sky Survey red (1993
Aug. 13) or blue (1988 Aug. 19) plates. 

Confirmatory images were secured on Feb 17.062UT with end figures
from astrometry of: 47.61s DEC 23.8" (2000).

The object was designated 2003at and announced on IAUC 8074. Mark
comments that this discovery was after a lengthy period devoted to
observatory refurbishment. We extend congratulations on this latest
success, his 40th supernova discovery for the patrol.

Guy M Hurst