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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1910      2003 Aug 23 19.27UT
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 2003hk IN NGC 1085
Yet another supernova was reported to us on Aug 20 by Tom Boles of
Coddenham, this time in the galaxy NGC 1085. There was initial
concern that it was in the asteroid belt and that 1987 YS1 might be
a candidate being 2.9"E and 8.1"S of the new object, especially as
this was initially recorded on Aug 20.110UT but as a single image
on a single night.

The object, of magnitude 17.6, was first recorded on an unfiltered
CCD image using a 0.35-m reflector during the course of the UK
Nova/Supernova Patrol.

The measured position is:
RA 02h 46m 25.69s DEC +03 36' 32.3" (2000), which is approximately
5.8"E and 6.0"N of the centre of the host galaxy.

Tom noted the suspect was not present on his images of 2003 Jan 7
(limiting magnitude 19.0) and 2003 Feb 17 (limit 19.0). It was also
not present on Palomar Sky Survey red (1990.733) or blue plates
(1992.883)

A confirmatory image of Aug 21.063UT eliminated the asteroid as a
candidate when the object was found to be stationary and of similar
magnitude.

A KAIT image of Aug 21.5 recorded it at magnitude 16.0.

The object was designated supernova 2003hk on IAUC 8184.
Congratulations to Tom Boles on his 49th supernova discovery.

Guy M Hurst