------------------------------------------------------------------- THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1921 2003 Sep 21 17.05UT 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------- VARIABLE OBJECT NEAR HX PEGASI Mike Linnolt, Honolulu, has reported that whilst observing HX Pegasi on Sept 20 when the variable was going into outburst and near visual magnitude 14.0, he noticed a new object nearly coincident with the star USNO-B1.0 1026-0769191 (also marked as companion '155' on the Simonsen chart 000906). Mike estimated the approximate position as: RA 23h 40m 04s DEC +12 38' 01" (2000). Between Sept 20.3479 and 20.3715UT it remained at magnitude 14.6. Mike Simonsen, USA, confirmed the presence of the new object on Sept 20.409UT also at magnitude 14.6. He estimated the position as: RA 23h 40m 03s DEC +12 36' 45" (2000). The approach of dawn prevented a definite check of possible motion. Mike Linnolt subsequently reported a fade to 15.1 by Sept 20.4778UT. However by Sept 20.781UT Tonny Vanmunster at CBA Belgium found no trace of the object to a limit of 16.5 (red magnitude) on unfiltered CCD images obtained with the 0.35-m f/6.3 telescope. He later reported that on images obtained on Sept 21.024UT it could also not been seen to a limiting magnitude of 18.0 thus indicating a very rapid decay rate. Mike Linnolt has also provided information on this object at: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~linnolt/HXPegtransient.html Weidong Li of the LOTOSS team, also reports that an image obtained with the KAIT telescope on Sept 21.163UT, also failed to record the new object to a limit of about magnitude 20. Editor: It may be worth obtaining a few further exposures over the next few nights provided these go deep, preferably to around magnitude 20. Whilst the type is unknown, temporary recoveries in the light curve can follow very sharp declines. TA AGM 2003 OCTOBER 10-12 Full details of the agenda for this meeting are being sent to those who have booked by staff at Alston Hall. Denis Buczynski, who is organising this event with Glyn Marsh, has asked me to draw attention to those travelling along the M6 where plenty of time should be allowed for the usual delays on this motorway. Members can check in at Alston Hall at any time during the Friday afternoon and dinner is served at 7.00pm before the talk by Dr. John Mason, at 08.40 on 'Lectures to Astronomical Societies, Personal Experiences'. The main speaker on Saturday morning is Dr. Petr. Pravec of the Ondrejov Observatory of the Czech Republic who will discuss asteroid photometry. The same speaker will be running a workshop in the afternoon. Other main speakers: Dr Donald Kurtz (University of Central Lancashire) "Asteroseismology: the real music of the spheres" David Ratledge (Bolton AS) "CCD imaging of unusual galaxies and galaxy groups" Tom Boles (BAA President elect) " The UK Supernova patrol: 100 up" Martin Mobberley (TA and BAA) " Webcam imaging of the Planets: Mars and others" Professor Lionel Wilson (University of Lancaster) "The search for water on Mars" We must apologise to members that Dr. Allan Chapman, due to unforeseen circumstances is not able to attend and passes on his regrets. However the line-up of speakers for this event is extremely impressive. Further details can be found at: www.theastronomer.org/agm2003.html Guy M Hurst